CN111902679A

CN111902679A - Indoor unit of air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN111902679A
Application number: CN201980022089.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 寺冈弘宣; 田中英志; 中井聪; 东田匡史; 宇多全史; 丸山要; 陈作舟
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-30
Filing date: 2019-02-26
Publication date: 2020-11-06
Also published as: WO2019187895A1; US20210033288A1; EP3779296A4; AU2019246289A1; EP3779296A1; JP6926024B2; JP2019178851A; EP3779296B1; AU2019246289B2

Abstract

An indoor unit of an air conditioner is provided with: an indoor unit main body having a suction port and a discharge port; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with air sucked from the suction port; and a cross-flow fan configured to blow out air, which has been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, from the air outlet. The cross-flow fan is provided with an outlet flow path which is configured by a lower wall, both left and right side walls, and an upper wall, and which has a gradually expanding cross-sectional area, and which guides outlet air to an outlet port. The two side walls are provided so as to protrude from the air outlet at least during air conditioning operation.

Description

Indoor unit of air conditioner

Technical Field

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

Background

For example, patent document 1 discloses the following structure: wall portions rising from guide surfaces of baffles are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the baffles of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2014/199590 pamphlet

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the indoor unit of patent document 1, at a position of the baffle that directs the blown air from the outlet toward the lower side of the indoor unit, the gap between the side wall of the baffle and the outlet is increased. As a result, the blown air flows backward through the gap between the side wall and the outlet, and surge occurs.

The invention aims to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which is not easy to generate surge.

Means for solving the problems

An indoor unit of an air conditioner for solving the problem comprises: an indoor unit main body having a suction port and a discharge port; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air sucked from the suction port; and a cross-flow fan configured to blow out air, which has been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger, from the air outlet, wherein an outlet flow path is formed in the cross-flow fan, the outlet flow path being configured by a lower wall, left and right side walls, and an upper wall, and having a cross-sectional area that gradually increases, the outlet flow path guiding the outlet air to the air outlet, and the side walls being provided so as to protrude from the air outlet at least during an air conditioning operation.

According to this configuration, since the air blown out from the air outlet is restricted by the side walls from flowing in the left-right direction of the air outlet, the air outlet flow path can be extended from the air outlet. This can raise the static pressure in the outlet flow path, and thus can increase the air volume in the outlet flow path. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body becomes high, the reverse flow of air from both ends in the left-right direction of the outlet port can be suppressed, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, it is preferable that the lower wall is provided so as to protrude from the air outlet at least during an air conditioning operation.

According to this configuration, the lower wall projects from the air outlet together with the two side walls, and therefore, the air blown out from the air outlet is restricted from flowing from the air outlet in the left-right direction and downward direction by the two side walls and the lower wall, and therefore, the air outlet flow path can be extended from the air outlet. Accordingly, the outlet flow path having the function of the diffuser is longer than a configuration in which the both side walls and the lower wall do not protrude from the outlet port, and therefore, the static pressure in the outlet flow path can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body becomes high, the reverse flow of air from both ends in the left-right direction of the outlet port and from below can be suppressed, and therefore, surge is less likely to occur.

In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, it is preferable that the upper wall is provided so as to protrude from the air outlet at least during an air conditioning operation.

According to this configuration, the upper wall protrudes from the air outlet together with the two side walls, and thus the air blown out from the air outlet is restricted from flowing from the air outlet in the left-right direction and upward by the two side walls and the upper wall, and therefore the air outlet flow path can be extended from the air outlet. Accordingly, the outlet flow path having the function of the diffuser is longer than a configuration in which the both side walls and the upper wall do not protrude from the outlet port, and therefore, the static pressure in the outlet flow path can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body becomes high, the reverse flow of air from both ends in the left-right direction of the outlet port and from above can be suppressed, and therefore, surge is less likely to occur.

In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, it is preferable that the outlet flow path is formed to protrude from the outlet, and a distance between both side walls of the outlet flow path on a downstream side of the outlet in a left-right direction is smaller than a length of the outlet in the left-right direction.

According to this configuration, the cross-sectional area of the outlet flow path on the downstream side of the outlet port is reduced, and therefore the air speed of the air on the downstream side of the outlet flow path from the outlet port can be increased. Therefore, the reverse flow of air from the outlet port can be suppressed, and surging is less likely to occur.

In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, it is preferable that the indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a moving mechanism configured to be changeable between a storage state in which a component including the side wall constituting the outlet flow path does not protrude from the outlet and a protruding state in which at least the side wall protrudes from the outlet, and the moving mechanism is in the protruding state during air-conditioning operation and is in the storage state during stop of the air-conditioning operation.

According to this configuration, the blowout flow path protrudes from the indoor unit main body during air conditioning operation, whereby surging is less likely to occur, and the blowout flow path is housed in the indoor unit main body during air conditioning operation stoppage, whereby the appearance of the indoor unit is improved.

In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, it is preferable that the moving mechanism moves the component so as to reduce a cross-sectional area of a portion of the outlet flow path protruding from the outlet when surging occurs.

According to this configuration, when surging occurs, the cross-sectional area of the outlet flow path on the downstream side of the outlet port is reduced, whereby the air speed of the air on the downstream side of the outlet flow path from the outlet port can be increased. Therefore, the backflow of air from the outlet port can be suppressed, and therefore, surging can be suppressed.

In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, it is preferable that the indoor unit is configured such that a ratio (H/D) of a height H of the indoor unit main body to an outer diameter D of the impeller of the cross flow fan is less than 2.2.

According to this configuration, since the cross-flow fan having the impeller with a large outer diameter is used for the indoor unit main body, noise and power consumption during air conditioning operation can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1, where (a) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 2 relates to the indoor unit of fig. 1, where (a) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the air conditioner.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the movement control executed by the control unit of the indoor unit.

Fig. 5 relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2, where (a) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 6 relates to the indoor unit of fig. 5, where (a) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 7 relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiment 3, where (a) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 8 relates to the indoor unit of fig. 7, in which (a) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 9 relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiment 4, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit, and (b) is an enlarged view of an outlet flow path and its periphery of (a).

Fig. 10 relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a modification, where (a) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a modification, where (a) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a stored state, and (b) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a modification, where (a) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a stored state, and (b) is a perspective view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 13 relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a modification, where (a) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 14 relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a modification, where (a) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a housed state, and (b) is a sectional view of the indoor unit in a projected state.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a modification, where (a) is a part of the indoor unit and (b) is an enlarged view of the part of (a).

Detailed Description

(embodiment 1)

An indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 4.

The indoor unit 1 of the present embodiment is wall-mounted and has a rear portion attached to an indoor side wall WL. The indoor unit 1 can realize, for example, a cooling operation for cooling an indoor space and a heating operation for heating the indoor space.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the indoor unit 1 includes an indoor unit main body 10. The indoor unit main body 10 is formed in a box shape having a longitudinal direction in a lateral direction (a left-right direction of the indoor unit 1), and has an internal space surrounded by a top surface portion 11, a front surface portion 12, a rear surface portion 13, both side surface portions 14, and a bottom surface portion 15. The rear surface portion 13 is attached to an attachment plate (not shown) of the side wall WL with a screw or the like, and thereby the indoor unit 1 is provided on the side wall WL. The indoor unit main body 10 has a suction port 16 in the top surface portion 11 and a discharge port 17 in the bottom surface portion 15. The suction port 16 and the discharge port 17 are provided so that the lateral direction (the left-right direction) becomes the longitudinal direction. The suction port 16 is formed along the top surface portion 11. The air outlet 17 is formed along the bottom surface portion 15.

As shown in fig. 2, the indoor unit 1 includes an air filter 21, an indoor heat exchanger 22, a cross-flow fan 23, and a baffle 24. The air filter 21, the indoor heat exchanger 22, and the cross-flow fan 23 are housed in the indoor unit main body 10.

The air filter 21 is detachably attached to the indoor unit main body 10. The air filter 21 traps dust in the indoor air sucked through the suction port 16. The air filter 21 is positioned between the top surface portion 11 of the indoor unit main body 10 and the indoor heat exchanger 22 in a state of being mounted on the indoor unit main body 10. This suppresses the adhesion of dust in the indoor air to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 22 by the air filter 21.

The indoor heat exchanger 22 includes a plurality of fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes penetrating the plurality of fins. The indoor heat exchanger 22 functions as an evaporator or a condenser depending on the operating state of the indoor unit 1, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes and the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 22.

The indoor heat exchanger 22 is provided such that front and rear ends thereof are bent downward when viewed from the side. The indoor heat exchanger 22 is arranged to surround the cross flow fan 23 from above.

The cross-flow fan 23 is located substantially at the center of the inside of the indoor unit main body 10. The cross-flow fan 23 includes an impeller 25 having a substantially cylindrical shape whose longitudinal direction is the lateral direction (the left-right direction), and a fan casing 27 forming an outlet flow path 26 communicating with the outlet 17. The outlet flow path 26 is configured by a lower wall 26L, both left and right side walls 26S, and an upper wall 26U, and the cross-sectional area thereof is gradually increased. That is, the cross-sectional area of the outlet flow path 26 increases as it goes toward the outlet 17. Therefore, the blowing flow path 26 functions as a diffuser.

When the cross flow fan 23 is rotationally driven, the indoor air taken in from the intake port 16 is sent to the cross flow fan 23 through the indoor heat exchanger 22. Then, the indoor air sent to the cross flow fan 23 is blown out from the air outlet 17 into the room through the air outlet flow path 26.

The outer diameter of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 is defined as an outer diameter D, and the vertical (vertical) dimension of the rear surface portion 13 of the indoor unit main body 10 is defined as a height H of the indoor unit main body 10. In this case, the outer diameter D is preferably 126mm or more and less than 150 mm. Further, the outer diameter D is more preferably 135mm or more and less than 150 mm. The height H of the indoor unit main body 10 is preferably 295mm or less. Further, the height H of the indoor unit main body 10 is more preferably 250mm or more and 295mm or less. The ratio (H/D) of the height H to the outer diameter D of the indoor unit main body 10 is preferably less than 2.2. Further, it is more preferable that the ratio (H/D) of the height H to the outer diameter D of the indoor unit main body 10 is 1.6 or more and less than 2.2.

The baffle plate 24 is provided on the lower edge of the air outlet 17 so as to be rotatable with respect to the indoor unit main body 10. The baffle plate 24 is formed in a flat plate shape having a longitudinal direction in the lateral direction (left-right direction). The length of the baffle plate 24 in the longitudinal direction is substantially equal to the length of the outlet 17 in the longitudinal direction. The flapper 24 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis C1 by a flapper driving motor 28 (see fig. 3).

The indoor unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a moving mechanism 29, and the moving mechanism 29 moves the two side walls 26S constituting the outlet flow path 26. In more detail, the two side walls 26S have a fixed side wall 26SF and a movable side wall 26SM, respectively. The fixed side wall 26SF and the movable side wall 26SM are provided so as to overlap each other in the lateral direction (left-right direction). The movable side wall 26SM is movable to slide relative to the fixed side wall 26SF and protrude from the outlet 17. The moving mechanism 29 moves the movable side wall 26 SM. The moving mechanism 29 includes a1 st motor (not shown) as a driving source and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism (not shown) for converting the rotation of the 1 st motor into a linear motion in a predetermined direction. An example of the moving mechanism 29 is a feed screw mechanism. The moving mechanism 29 is configured to be able to move the movable side walls 26SM so as to reduce the cross-sectional area between the left and right movable side walls 26SM in a state where the movable side walls 26SM protrude from the outlet 17. In one example, the moving mechanism 29 includes a2 nd motor (not shown) for rotating the movable side wall 26SM about the rotation axis C2 (see fig. 2 b). This allows the distance between the right and left directions of the projecting distal ends of the right and left movable side walls 26SM to be changed. In this way, the moving mechanism 29 can switch between a restricted state in which the cross-sectional area between the left and right movable side walls 26SM is reduced and a normal state in which the cross-sectional area between the left and right movable side walls 26SM is not reduced. In one example, in the restricted state, the distance between the projecting distal ends of the left and right movable side walls 26SM in the left-right direction is smaller than the length of the air outlet 17 in the left-right direction.

As shown in fig. 3, the air conditioner includes an outdoor controller 7 that controls the compressor 3, the four-way switching valve 4, the outdoor fan 5, and the expansion valve 6 of the outdoor unit 2. In one example, the outdoor controller 7 controls the operating frequency (Hz) of the compressor 3, the rotational speed (rpm) of the motor of the outdoor fan 5, and the opening degree of the expansion valve 6. The outdoor control unit 7 switches the four-way switching valve 4 between a1 st state in which a refrigerant circuit (not shown) of the air conditioner is in a refrigeration cycle and a2 nd state in which the refrigerant circuit is in a heating cycle.

The indoor unit 1 includes an indoor control unit 30. The indoor control unit 30 includes an arithmetic processing device that executes a predetermined control program, and a storage unit that stores various control programs and information used for various control processes. The arithmetic Processing Unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The storage unit includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile Memory includes, for example, a ROM (read only Memory), a hard disk, and a flash Memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a RAM (Random access memory). The indoor control part 30 may include 1 or more microcomputers. The outdoor control unit 7 may be configured in the same manner.

The indoor control unit 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the outdoor control unit 7 by wire or wirelessly. The indoor control unit 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the remote controller 31 wirelessly. The indoor control unit 30 controls the cross flow fan 23, the flap driving motor 28, and the moving mechanism 29 in response to an operation instruction from the remote controller 31. The indoor control unit 30 communicates with the outdoor control unit 7 about the contents of the operation instruction of the remote controller 31. The outdoor control unit 7 controls the operating frequency (Hz) of the compressor 3, the rotational speed (rpm) of the motor of the outdoor fan 5, the opening degree of the expansion valve 6, and the switching between the 1 st state and the 2 nd state of the four-way switching valve 4, respectively, in accordance with an operation instruction from the remote controller 31.

The indoor control unit 30 of the present embodiment controls the moving mechanism 29 so as to switch between a storage state in which the movable side wall 26SM does not protrude from the air outlet 17 as shown in fig. 1(a) and 2(a) and a protruding state in which the movable side wall 26SM protrudes from the air outlet 17 as shown in fig. 1(b) and 2 (b). In one example, the indoor control unit 30 controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to be in the protruding state during the air-conditioning operation, and controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to be in the accommodated state during the stop of the air-conditioning operation. In one example, as shown in fig. 1(b) and 2(b), the movable side wall 26SM is configured to cover the entire short-side direction (vertical direction) of the air outlet 17 in the projected state.

Further, during the stop of the air-conditioning operation, the indoor control unit 30 controls the flap-driving motor 28 so that the flap 24 covers the outlet port 17, as shown in fig. 1(a) and 2(a), and during the air-conditioning operation, controls the flap-driving motor 28 so that the flap 24 opens the outlet port 17, as shown in fig. 1(b) and 2 (b). As described above, the indoor unit 1 during the air-conditioning operation stop shown in fig. 1(a) and 2(a) is in a state in which the movable side wall 26SM and the flap 24 do not protrude from the indoor unit main body 10, and the indoor unit 1 during the air-conditioning operation shown in fig. 1(b) and 2(b) is in a state in which the movable side wall 26SM and the flap 24 protrude from the indoor unit main body 10.

In addition, the rotational position of the damper 24 can be arbitrarily changed during the air conditioning operation. In one example, the rotational position of the shutter 24 can be changed in response to an instruction from the remote controller 31.

Further, when surge occurs, the indoor control unit 30 controls the movement mechanism 29 to a restricted state, which is a state in which: the cross-sectional area between the left and right movable side walls 26SM is reduced by the 2 nd motor that rotates the movable side walls 26SM about the rotation axis C2 (see fig. 2 (b)). In the restricted state, the cross-sectional area of the outlet 17 on the downstream side of the outlet 17 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outlet 17 in the outlet flow path 26, and therefore the air speed of the indoor air in the outlet flow path 26 becomes high, and surge can be suppressed. When surging is suppressed, the indoor control unit 30 controls the movement mechanism 29 so that the 2 nd motor is switched from the restricted state to the normal state. Here, surge is noise (for example, noise such as "hula") generated by unstable air volume and pressure of indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 and generation of reverse flow in the air outlet 17. The surge is likely to occur when the air filter 21 is clogged with dust and the air resistance is high or when the indoor heat exchanger 22 forms dew.

As an example of the detection of the surge, the detection is performed based on the rotational speed (rpm) of a fan motor (not shown) of the cross flow fan 23. More specifically, the indoor control unit 30 sets the rotation speed of the fan motor in accordance with an operation instruction of the remote controller 31. The rotational speed of the fan motor set at this time is defined as a set rotational speed. The indoor control unit 30 determines whether or not the rotation speed of the fan motor is within an allowable rotation speed range of a predetermined width around the set rotation speed. When the rotation speed of the fan motor is within the allowable rotation speed range, the indoor control unit 30 determines that surge is not generated because the rotation speed of the fan motor is stable and thus the volume and pressure of the indoor air are hardly unstable. On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the motor is outside the allowable rotation speed range, the indoor control unit 30 determines that surge occurs because the rotation speed of the fan motor is unstable and the volume and pressure of the indoor air are likely to be unstable. In the detection of the surge, the predetermined range is a range for determining that the surge is generated due to a variation in the rotation speed of the fan motor, and is set in advance by an experiment or the like.

Further, the surge may be detected based on the current supplied to the fan motor of the cross flow fan 23. More specifically, the indoor control unit 30 determines whether or not the current supplied to the fan motor is within an allowable current range of a predetermined width centered on a current value corresponding to the set rotation speed. When the current supplied to the fan motor is within the allowable current range, the indoor control unit 30 determines that surge is not generated because the air volume and pressure of the indoor air are stable and the current supplied to the fan motor is stable. On the other hand, when the current supplied to the fan motor is out of the allowable current range, the indoor control unit 30 determines that surge occurs because the flow rate and pressure of the indoor air are unstable and the current supplied to the fan motor is unstable. The predetermined width is a width for determining that surge occurs due to a variation in current supplied to the fan motor, and is set in advance by an experiment or the like.

An example of the processing procedure of the movement control of the movement mechanism 29 by the indoor control unit 30 as described above will be described with reference to fig. 4. The movement control is executed during a period from the start to the end of the air conditioning operation.

In step S11, indoor control unit 30 determines whether or not to start the air conditioning operation. In one example, the indoor control unit 30 determines that the air conditioning operation is to be started when an operation start instruction from the remote controller 31 is received, and determines that the air conditioning operation is not to be started when the operation start instruction is not received.

When the indoor control unit 30 does not start the air conditioning operation (no in step S11), the process ends. In this case, the movable side wall 26SM maintains the housed state. On the other hand, when the indoor control unit 30 starts the air conditioning operation (yes in step S11), the movable side wall 26SM is set to the protruding state in step S12. Thereby, the movable side wall 26SM is in a state of protruding from the air outlet 17. Then, in step S13, the indoor control unit 30 determines whether or not surge occurs.

When surging occurs (step S13: yes), in step S14, the indoor control unit 30 controls the 2 nd motor of the moving mechanism 29 so that the cross-sectional area between the left and right movable side walls 26SM decreases. Then, in step S15, the indoor control unit 30 determines whether or not to end the air conditioning operation. In one example, the indoor control unit 30 determines that the air conditioning operation is to be ended when receiving an operation end instruction from the remote controller 31, and determines not to end the air conditioning operation when not receiving the operation end instruction.

If the air conditioning operation is not to be ended (no in step S15), indoor control unit 30 proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the air conditioning operation is ended (yes in step S15), the indoor control unit 30 sets the movable side wall 26SM to the storage state in step S16. Thereby, the movable side wall 26SM is housed in the indoor unit main body 10.

When surging does not occur (no in step S13), the indoor control unit 30 determines whether or not the movable side wall 26SM is in the restricted state in step S17. When the movable side wall 26SM is in the restricted state (yes in step S17), the indoor control unit 30 changes the movable side wall 26SM to the normal state in step S18, and proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, when the movable side wall 26SM is in the normal state (no in step S17), the indoor control unit 30 maintains the movable side wall 26SM in the normal state, and proceeds to step S15.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In order to increase the outer diameter D of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 in order to achieve low power and low noise, and to suppress a decrease in ease of installation of the indoor unit main body 10 without increasing the height H of the indoor unit main body 10, the area of the indoor unit main body 10 in which the outlet flow path 26 of the cross flow fan 23 is formed is reduced, and the outlet flow path 26 is shortened. If the outlet flow path 26 becomes short, the conversion from the dynamic pressure to the static pressure of the indoor air in the outlet flow path 26 becomes insufficient, and the air volume and pressure of the cross flow fan 23 decrease.

Further, when the air flow resistance inside the indoor unit main body 10 increases due to dew condensation on the indoor heat exchanger 22 or clogging of the air filter 21, the air speed of the indoor air in the outlet flow path 26 decreases, and backflow from the outlet 17 is likely to occur. As a result, surging may occur in which the flow of the indoor air blown out from the cross flow fan 23 is unstable due to the backflow of the indoor air from the air outlet 17. In particular, it is known that the air velocity of the indoor air is slower at both ends in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17 than at the center in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17. Therefore, the air flows more easily backward from the air outlet 17 at both ends of the air outlet 17 in the left-right direction.

In view of this, in the present embodiment, during the air conditioning operation, the movable side wall 26SM is caused to protrude from the air outlet 17. This can extend the length of the blowing flow path 26 by the length of the movable side wall 26 SM. Further, the movable side walls 26SM extend so as to protrude from the air outlet 17 at both ends in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17, and therefore, the backflow of the indoor air to the air outlet 17 from the outer side than both ends in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17 is suppressed. As a result, surge can be suppressed, and fluctuations in the air volume and pressure of the cross flow fan 23 can be suppressed.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

(1-1) the movable side walls 26SM of the two side walls 26S are provided so as to protrude from the air outlet 17 at least during air-conditioning operation. According to this configuration, since the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17 by the movable side wall 26SM, the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. This can raise the static pressure in the outlet flow path 26, and thus can increase the air volume in the outlet flow path 26. Further, for example, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) inside the indoor unit main body 10 is increased due to dew condensation on the indoor heat exchanger 22, clogging of the air filter 21, or the like, the indoor air can be suppressed from flowing back from both end portions of the air outlet 17, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

(1-2) when surging occurs, the moving mechanism 29 makes the distance between the pair of movable side walls 26SM smaller than the length of the air outlet 17 in the left-right direction. According to this configuration, since the cross-sectional area of the outlet flow path 26 on the downstream side of the outlet port 17 is reduced, the wind speed of the indoor air on the downstream side of the outlet port 17 in the outlet flow path 26 can be increased. Therefore, backflow of the indoor air from the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore surge can be suppressed.

(1-3) the indoor unit 1 includes a moving mechanism 29, and the moving mechanism 29 is in a protruding state in which the movable side wall 26SM protrudes from the air outlet 17 during the air-conditioning operation, and is in a stored state in which the movable side wall 26SM does not protrude from the air outlet 17 during the stop of the air-conditioning operation. According to this configuration, surging is less likely to occur because the movable side wall 26SM protrudes from the indoor unit main body 10 during air conditioning operation, and the appearance of the indoor unit 1 is improved because the movable side wall 26SM is housed in the indoor unit main body 10 during air conditioning operation stoppage.

(1-4) the indoor unit 1 is configured such that the ratio (H/D) of the height H of the indoor unit main body 10 to the outer diameter D of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 is less than 2.2. According to this configuration, since the cross flow fan 23 having the impeller 25 with the large outer diameter D is used for the indoor unit main body 10, noise and power consumption during operation of the indoor unit 1 can be reduced.

(1-5) the indoor unit 1 is configured such that the ratio (H/D) of the height H of the indoor unit main body 10 to the outer diameter D of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 is 1.6 or more and less than 2.2. With this configuration, in addition to the effects (1-4), the ease of setting of the indoor unit main body 10 can be suppressed from decreasing.

(1-6) the height H of the indoor unit main body 10 is 295mm or less. This can suppress a decrease in the ease of installation of the indoor unit main body 10. In particular, the height H of the indoor unit main body 10 is 250mm to 295 mm. This makes it possible to use the cross flow fan 23 having the impeller 25 with the large outer diameter D, to achieve low power and low noise, and to suppress a decrease in ease of setting the indoor unit main body 10.

(embodiment 2)

An indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. The indoor unit 1 of the present embodiment differs from the indoor unit 1 of embodiment 1 in that the lower wall 26L protrudes from the air outlet 17 during air-conditioning operation together with the two side walls 26S of the outlet flow path 26. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1, and the description thereof may be omitted.

As shown in fig. 5(b) and 6(b), the lower wall 26L includes a fixed lower wall 26LF and a movable lower wall 26 LM. The flapper 24 is attached to the distal end portion of the movable lower wall 26LM so as to be rotatable with respect to the movable lower wall 26 LM. The fixed lower wall 26LF and the movable lower wall 26LM are disposed so as to coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction). The movable lower wall 26LM is movable to slide relative to the fixed lower wall 26LF and to protrude from the air outlet 17.

The moving mechanism 29 of the present embodiment is configured to move the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM, respectively. In one example, the moving mechanism 29 has a function of slidably moving the movable side wall 26SM with respect to the fixed side wall 26SF and a function of slidably moving the movable lower wall 26LM with respect to the fixed lower wall 26 LF. The moving mechanism 29 includes a1 st motor, a1 st rotation-linear motion converting mechanism that converts rotation of the 1 st motor into linear motion of the movable side wall 26SM, and a2 nd rotation-linear motion converting mechanism that converts rotation of the 1 st motor into linear motion of the movable lower wall 26 LM. That is, the moving mechanism 29 of the present embodiment moves the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM by one drive source.

The indoor control unit 30 (see fig. 3) of the present embodiment controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to switch between a storage state in which the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM do not protrude from the air outlet 17, as shown in fig. 5(a) and 6(a), and a protruding state in which the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM protrude from the air outlet 17, as shown in fig. 5(b) and 6 (b). In one example, the indoor control unit 30 controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to be in the protruding state during the air-conditioning operation, and controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to be in the accommodated state during the stop of the air-conditioning operation.

The movable side wall 26SM is located above the end in the left-right direction of the movable lower wall 26LM in the protruding state. The movable side wall 26SM is provided so that no gap is formed between the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM in the vertical direction. Further, the movable side wall 26SM is rotatable about the rotation axis C2 between the upper wall 26U and the movable lower wall 26 LM.

The relationship between the outer diameter D of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 and the height H of the indoor unit main body 10 in the present embodiment is the same as the relationship between the outer diameter D of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 and the height H of the indoor unit main body 10 in embodiment 1.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained in addition to the effects of embodiment 1.

(2-1) the movable side wall 26SM of the two side walls 26S and the movable lower wall 26LM of the lower wall 26L are provided so as to protrude from the air outlet 17 at least during air-conditioning operation. According to this configuration, since the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing in the left-right direction and downward direction from the air outlet 17 by the movable side walls 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM, the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the both side walls 26S and the lower wall 26L do not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the indoor air can be suppressed from flowing backward from both ends and downward in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17, respectively, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

(2-2) the indoor unit 1 includes a moving mechanism 29, and the moving mechanism 29 is in a protruding state in which the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM protrude from the air outlet 17 during the air-conditioning operation, and is in a stored state in which the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM do not protrude from the air outlet 17 during the air-conditioning operation stop. According to this configuration, since the movable side wall 26SM and the movable bottom wall 26LM protrude from the indoor unit main body 10 during air conditioning operation, surge is less likely to occur, and since the movable side wall 26SM and the movable bottom wall 26LM are housed in the indoor unit main body 10 during air conditioning operation stop, the appearance of the indoor unit 1 is improved.

(embodiment 3)

An indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to embodiment 3 will be described with reference to fig. 7 and 8. The indoor unit 1 of the present embodiment differs from the indoor unit 1 of embodiment 2 in that the upper wall 26U protrudes from the air outlet 17 during air-conditioning operation together with the two side walls 26S and the lower wall 26L of the outlet flow path 26. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 2, and the description thereof may be omitted.

The upper wall 26U of the present embodiment includes a fixed upper wall 26UF and a movable upper wall 26 UM. The fixed upper wall 26UF and the movable upper wall 26UM are provided so as to coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction). The movable upper wall 26UM is movable to slide relative to the fixed upper wall 26UF and protrude from the air outlet 17.

The moving mechanism 29 is configured to move the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM, respectively. In one example, the moving mechanism 29 has a function of slidably moving the movable side wall 26SM with respect to the fixed side wall 26SF, a function of slidably moving the movable lower wall 26LM with respect to the fixed lower wall 26LF, and a function of slidably moving the movable upper wall 26UM with respect to the fixed upper wall 26 UF. The moving mechanism 29 has a1 st motor, a1 st rotation-to-linear motion converting mechanism that converts rotation of the 1 st motor into linear motion of the movable side wall 26SM, a2 nd rotation-to-linear motion converting mechanism that converts rotation of the 1 st motor into linear motion of the movable lower wall 26LM, and a3 rd rotation-to-linear motion converting mechanism that converts rotation of the 1 st motor into linear motion of the movable upper wall 26 UM. That is, the moving mechanism 29 of the present embodiment moves the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM by one driving source.

The indoor control unit 30 (see fig. 3) of the present embodiment controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to switch between a storage state in which the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM do not protrude from the air outlet 17, as shown in fig. 7(a) and 8(a), and a protruding state in which the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM protrude from the air outlet 17, as shown in fig. 7(b) and 8 (b). In one example, the indoor control unit 30 controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to be in the protruding state during the air-conditioning operation, and controls the movement mechanism 29 so as to be in the accommodated state during the stop of the air-conditioning operation.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7(b) and 8(b), the movable side wall 26SM is configured to cover the entire movable lower wall 26LM and the movable upper wall 26UM in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) in the protruding state. Specifically, the movable side wall 26SM is located between the movable lower wall 26LM and the movable upper wall 26UM in the up-down direction at the end portions of the movable lower wall 26LM and the movable upper wall 26UM in the left-right direction in the protruding state. The movable side wall 26SM is provided so that no gap is formed between the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM in the vertical direction. Further, the movable side wall 26SM is rotatable about the rotation axis C2 between the movable upper wall 26UM and the movable lower wall 26 LM.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained in addition to the effects of

embodiments

1 and 2.

(3-1) the movable side walls 26SM of the two side walls 26S, the movable lower wall 26LM of the lower wall 26L, and the movable upper wall 26UM of the upper wall 26U are provided so as to protrude from the air outlet 17 at least during air-conditioning operation. With this configuration, the outlet flow path 26 surrounded by the wall portions in the left-right direction and the up-down direction can be extended from the outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the two side walls 26S, the lower wall 26L, and the upper wall 26U do not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the indoor air can be suppressed from flowing backward from both ends, the upper end, and the lower end in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17, respectively, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

(3-2) the indoor unit 1 includes a moving mechanism 29, and the moving mechanism 29 is in a protruding state in which the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM protrude from the air outlet 17 during the air-conditioning operation, and is in a stored state in which the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM do not protrude from the air outlet 17 during the air-conditioning operation stop. According to this configuration, during air conditioning operation, the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM protrude from the indoor unit main body 10, respectively, and thus surge is less likely to occur. Further, when the air conditioning operation is stopped, the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM are respectively housed in the indoor unit main body 10, thereby improving the appearance of the indoor unit 1.

(embodiment 4)

An indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to embodiment 4 will be described with reference to fig. 9. The indoor unit 1 of the present embodiment differs from the indoor unit 1 of embodiment 1 in the structure of the cross-flow fan 23. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1, and the description thereof may be omitted.

As shown in fig. 9(a) and (b), the indoor unit 1 has a structure in which the support portion 32 is a cross flow fan 23, and the support portion 32 supports the flap 24 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis C1. The support portion 32 is attached to a lower end portion of the indoor unit main body 10 near the air outlet 17. That is, the support portion 32 can be said to constitute the lower end portion of the indoor unit main body 10. The portion of the support portion 32 on the side of the air outlet 17 constitutes a part of the air outlet flow path 26 (lower wall 26L). The support portion 32 faces the tongue portion 26A of the upper wall 26U in a direction crossing the outlet flow path 26.

As shown in fig. 9(B), the distance between the intersection point a where the tangent VL inscribed in the tongue portion 26A of the upper wall 26U and the flow path forming surface 32X of the support portion 32 facing the tongue portion 26A are perpendicular to each other and the point B constituting the lower end of the indoor unit main body 10 are defined as a distance L, and the outer diameter of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 is defined as an outer diameter D. In the present embodiment, the ratio (L/D) of the distance L to the outer diameter D is less than 0.05. Here, the point B is a most downstream side portion in the lower wall 26L of the outlet flow path 26. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 9(B), point B is the lowest point on flow passage forming surface 32X of support portion 32.

In the present embodiment, the movable side wall 26SM is omitted from the two side walls 26S. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 29 includes a shutter driving motor 28 (see fig. 3). The moving mechanism 29 is configured to be changeable between a storage state in which the baffle 24 configuring the outlet flow path 26 covers the outlet 17 and a protruding state in which the baffle 24 protrudes from the outlet 17. As in embodiment 1, the moving mechanism 29 is in the protruding state during the air-conditioning operation and in the housed state during the stop of the air-conditioning operation. That is, as shown by the broken line in fig. 9(a), during the stop of the air-conditioning operation, the flap 24 rotates with respect to the support portion 32 so as to cover the air outlet 17. On the other hand, as shown by the solid line in fig. 9(a), during air-conditioning operation, the flap 24 rotates with respect to the support portion 32 so as to open the air outlet 17. The protruding baffle 24 faces the flow passage forming surface 26X of the upper wall 26U.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

(4-1) the baffle 24 constituting the lower wall of the outlet flow path 26 is configured to protrude from the outlet port 17 at least during the air conditioning operation. Further, the ratio (L/D) of the distance L from the tangent line VL inscribed in the tongue portion 26A of the cross flow fan 23 to the point B constituting the lower end of the indoor unit main body 10 to the outer diameter D of the impeller 25 of the cross flow fan 23 is less than 0.05. According to this configuration, a reduction in ease of installation of the indoor unit main body 10 is suppressed, and low power and low noise can be achieved by increasing the outer diameter D of the impeller 25 of the crossflow fan 23. Further, the baffle 24 protrudes from the outlet 17, and thus the diffuser length of the outlet flow path 26 can be ensured. Therefore, a reduction in the function of the diffuser can be suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in performance of the indoor unit 1 can be suppressed.

(4-2) the indoor unit 1 includes a moving mechanism 29, and the moving mechanism 29 is in a protruding state in which the baffle 24 protrudes from the outlet 17 during the air-conditioning operation, and is in a housed state in which the baffle 24 does not protrude from the outlet 17 during the stop of the air-conditioning operation. According to this configuration, the baffle 24 protrudes from the indoor unit main body 10 during air conditioning operation, and surge is less likely to occur. Further, when the air conditioning operation is stopped, the baffle 24 is housed in the indoor unit main body 10, thereby improving the appearance of the indoor unit 1.

(modification example)

The description of the embodiments is an example of a preferable mode of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention, and is not intended to limit the mode. An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention may be configured by, for example, the following modifications of the above embodiments and by combining at least 2 modifications that are not mutually inconsistent. In the following modifications, the same reference numerals as those of the above embodiments are given to the common portions to the embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, at least one of the two side walls 26S, the lower wall 26L, and the upper wall 26U constituting the outlet flow path 26 may have a movable wall and a fixed wall. More specifically, the indoor unit 1 may have any one of the following configurations (a1) to (a 4).

(A1) The indoor unit 1 has the following structure: the two side walls 26S constituting the outlet flow path 26 have movable side walls 26SM, the upper wall 26U has a movable upper wall 26UM, and the lower wall 26L does not have a movable lower wall 26 LM. According to this configuration, since the movable side wall 26SM and the movable upper wall 26UM protrude from the air outlet 17, the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted by the movable side wall 26SM and the movable upper wall 26UM from flowing in the left-right direction and upward from the air outlet 17, and therefore, the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the two side walls 26S and the upper wall 26U do not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the air can be suppressed from flowing backward from both ends in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17 and from above, respectively, and therefore surge is less likely to occur.

(A2) The indoor unit 1 has the following structure: the lower wall 26L constituting the outlet flow path 26 has a movable lower wall 26LM, the upper wall 26U has a movable upper wall 26UM, and the two side walls 26S do not have movable side walls 26 SM. According to this configuration, since the movable lower wall 26LM protrudes from the air outlet 17, the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing downward from the air outlet 17 by the movable lower wall 26LM, and therefore the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the lower wall 26L does not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the reverse flow of air from below the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

(A3) The indoor unit 1 has the following structure: the lower wall 26L constituting the outlet flow path 26 has a movable lower wall 26LM, the both side walls 26S do not have a movable side wall 26SM, and the upper wall 26U does not have a movable upper wall 26 UM. According to this configuration, since the movable lower wall 26LM protrudes from the air outlet 17, the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing downward from the air outlet 17 by the movable lower wall 26LM, and therefore the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the lower wall 26L does not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the reverse flow of air from below the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

(A4) The indoor unit 1 has the following structure: the upper wall 26U constituting the outlet flow path 26 has a movable upper wall 26UM, the two side walls 26S do not have a movable side wall 26SM, and the lower wall 26L does not have a movable lower wall 26 LM. According to this configuration, since the movable upper wall 26UM protrudes from the air outlet 17, the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing upward from the air outlet 17 by the movable upper wall 26UM, and therefore, the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the upper wall 26U does not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the backflow of air from above the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore surge is less likely to occur.

In the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, the both side walls 26S may be modified as in the following configurations (B1) to (B3).

(B1) As shown in fig. 10(a) and (b), the two side walls 26S include movable side walls 26SM, and the movable side walls 26SM have a shape that expands like a fan around the rotation axis C3. The moving mechanism 29 includes a driving motor for rotating the movable side wall 26SM about the rotation axis C3. The output shaft of the driving motor may be directly connected to the movable side wall 26SM, or may be connected to the movable side wall 26SM via a speed reducer. The moving mechanism 29 moves the movable side wall 26S so as to switch between the accommodated state shown in fig. 10(a) and the projected state shown in fig. 10 (b). As shown in fig. 10(a), in the stored state, the movable side wall 26SM is stored in the indoor unit main body 10, that is, does not protrude from the outlet 17. As shown in fig. 10(b), in the projected state, the movable side wall 26SM is in a state of projecting from the indoor unit main body 10, that is, a state of projecting from the air outlet 17. The movable side wall 26SM of fig. 10(a) (b) is provided adjacent to the end face of the shutter 24 in the lateral direction (left-right direction). Here, it is preferable that no gap be formed between the movable side wall 26SM and the end face of the shutter 24 in the left-right direction.

(B2) As shown in fig. 11(a) and (b), the two side walls 26S have movable side walls 26SM that rotate about the rotation axis C4. The moving mechanism 29 includes a driving motor for rotating the movable side wall 26SM about the rotation axis C4. The output shaft of the driving motor may be directly connected to the movable side wall 26SM, or may be connected to the movable side wall 26SM via a speed reducer. The moving mechanism 29 moves the movable side wall 26S so as to switch between the accommodated state shown in fig. 11(a) and the projected state shown in fig. 11 (b). As shown in fig. 11(a), in the housed state, the movable side wall 26SM is in a state of covering the end portion of the air outlet 17 in the lateral direction (left-right direction), that is, in a state of not protruding from the air outlet 17. In the storage state, the flap 24 is moved by the flap-driving motor 28 (see fig. 3) so as to cover the blow-out port 17. In the stored state, the movable side wall 26SM rotates so as to cover the end portion of the shutter 24 in the lateral direction (left-right direction). As shown in fig. 11(b), in the projected state, the movable side wall 26SM is in a state of projecting from the indoor unit main body 10, that is, a state of projecting from the air outlet 17. In one example, when the storage state is changed to the protruding state, the movable side wall 26SM rotates and moves to the outer side in the lateral direction (left-right direction) than the baffle 24, and then the baffle 24 rotates so as to protrude from the outlet 17.

(B3) As shown in fig. 12(a) and (b), the two side walls 26S have movable side walls 26SM that are extendable and retractable. The movable side wall 26SM is formed of a bellows structure. The moving mechanism 29 includes a motor as a drive source and a rotation/linear motion conversion mechanism that converts rotation of the motor into linear motion in the expansion/contraction direction of the movable side wall 26 SM. The moving mechanism 29 moves the movable side wall 26SM so as to switch between the storage state shown in fig. 12(a) and the protruding state shown in fig. 12 (b). As shown in fig. 12(a), in the stored state, the movable side wall 26SM is retracted and stored in the indoor unit main body 10, that is, does not protrude from the outlet 17. As shown in fig. 12(b), in the projected state, the movable side wall 26SM is extended to project from the indoor unit main body 10, that is, to project from the air outlet 17. The movable side wall 26SM of fig. 12(a) (b) is disposed adjacent to the baffle 24 in the lateral direction (left-right direction). Here, it is preferable that no gap be formed between the movable side wall 26SM and the end face of the shutter 24 in the left-right direction.

In the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, the movable side wall 26SM may not rotate about the rotation axis C2. In this case, the movable side walls 26SM may be configured such that the distance between the two movable side walls 26SM in the left-right direction decreases toward the downstream side of the outlet flow path 26.

In the above-described

embodiments

2 and 3, as shown in fig. 13(a) and (b), the movable lower wall 26LM of the lower wall 26L may be provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis C5 with respect to the terminal portion of the fixed lower wall 26LF that is the lower end portion of the indoor unit main body 10. The shutter 24 is provided rotatably with respect to a distal end portion of the movable lower wall 26 LM. As shown in fig. 13(a), the moving mechanism 29 is in the storage state during the stop of the air conditioning operation, and rotates the movable lower wall 26LM so as to cover the air outlet 17. In this case, the air outlet 17 is covered with the movable lower wall 26LM and the flap 24. As shown in fig. 13(b), the moving mechanism 29 is in a protruding state during air conditioning operation, and rotates the movable lower wall 26LM so as to protrude from the air outlet 17. In this case, the blow-out port 17 is not covered by the movable lower wall 26LM and the flap 24. In the projected state, the rotational position of the flapper 24 with respect to the movable lower wall 26LM can be arbitrarily changed by the flapper driving motor 28 (see fig. 3).

In the above-described embodiment 3, as shown in fig. 14(a) (b), the movable upper wall 26UM of the upper wall 26U may be provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis C6 with respect to the distal end portion of the fixed upper wall 26 UF. As shown in fig. 14(a), the moving mechanism 29 is in the storage state during the stop of the air conditioning operation, and rotates the movable upper wall 26UM so as to cover the air outlet 17. During the stop of the air conditioning operation, the flap 24 also covers the outlet 17 by the flap driving motor 28 (see fig. 3). In this way, the movable upper wall 26UM and the flap 24 cover the entire outlet 17. As shown in fig. 14(b), the moving mechanism 29 is in a protruding state during air conditioning operation, and rotates the movable upper wall 26UM so as to protrude from the air outlet 17. In this case, the outlet 17 is not covered with the movable upper wall 26UM and the flap 24.

In embodiment 2 described above, the moving mechanism 29 may include a1 st moving mechanism that moves the movable side wall 26SM and a2 nd moving mechanism that moves the movable lower wall 26 LM. The 1 st moving mechanism and the 2 nd moving mechanism each have a motor and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism that converts rotation of the motor into linear motion. Thereby, the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM can be controlled individually.

In the above-described

embodiments

2 and 3, the moving mechanism 29 may reduce the cross-sectional area of the outlet flow path 26 on the downstream side of the outlet port 17 by rotating the flap 24 when surging occurs.

In embodiment 3 described above, the moving mechanism 29 may include a1 st moving mechanism for moving the movable side wall 26SM, a2 nd moving mechanism for moving the movable lower wall 26LM, and a3 rd moving mechanism for moving the movable upper wall 26 UM. The 1 st to 3 rd moving mechanisms each include a motor and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism for converting rotation of the motor into linear motion. Thereby, the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM can be controlled individually.

In embodiment 3 described above, the moving mechanism 29 may include a1 st moving mechanism that moves the movable side wall 26SM and the movable lower wall 26LM, and a2 nd moving mechanism that moves the movable upper wall 26 UM. The 1 st moving mechanism and the 2 nd moving mechanism each have a motor and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism that converts rotation of the motor into linear motion. Thereby, the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM can be controlled individually.

In embodiment 3 described above, the moving mechanism 29 may include a1 st moving mechanism that moves the movable side wall 26SM, and a2 nd moving mechanism that moves the movable lower wall 26LM and the movable upper wall 26 UM. The 1 st moving mechanism and the 2 nd moving mechanism each have a motor and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism that converts rotation of the motor into linear motion. Thereby, the movable side wall 26SM, and the movable lower wall 26LM and the movable upper wall 26UM can be controlled individually.

In embodiment 3 described above, the moving mechanism 29 may include a1 st moving mechanism that moves the movable side wall 26SM and the movable upper wall 26UM, and a2 nd moving mechanism that moves the movable lower wall 26 LM. The 1 st moving mechanism and the 2 nd moving mechanism each have a motor and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism that converts rotation of the motor into linear motion. Thereby, the movable side wall 26SM, the movable upper wall 26UM, and the movable lower wall 26LM can be controlled individually.

In embodiment 3 described above, the outlet flow path 26 may be formed so as to protrude from the outlet 17, and the cross-sectional area of the outlet flow path 26 on the downstream side of the outlet 17 may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outlet 17. In one example, at least one of the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM is moved by the moving mechanism 29 as follows: the cross-sectional area surrounded by the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM, and the movable upper wall 26UM, which are the components constituting the outlet flow path 26, is made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the outlet port 17. This can increase the wind speed on the downstream side of the outlet flow path 26. Therefore, backflow of the indoor air from the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

In the above-described embodiment 4, the indoor unit 1 may be modified as shown in (C1) to (C4) below.

(C1) The indoor unit 1 further includes a movable side wall 26SM, and a moving mechanism 29 for moving the movable side wall 26 SM. In one example, the movable side wall 26SM and the moving mechanism 29 have the same configurations as the movable side wall 26SM and the moving mechanism 29 of embodiment 1. According to this configuration, since the movable side wall 26SM protrudes from the air outlet 17, the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing in the left-right direction from the air outlet 17 by the movable side wall 26SM and the movable upper wall 26UM, and therefore the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 is longer than a configuration in which the two side walls 26S and the upper wall 26U do not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the reverse flow of air from both ends in the left-right direction of the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore, the surge is less likely to occur.

(C2) The indoor unit 1 further includes a movable lower wall 26LM and a moving mechanism 29 for moving the movable lower wall 26 LM. In one example, the movable lower wall 26LM and the moving mechanism 29 have the same configurations as those of the movable lower wall 26LM and the moving mechanism 29 of embodiment 2. In this case, the flapper 24 is rotatably provided at the distal end portion of the movable lower wall 26 LM. According to this configuration, since the movable lower wall 26LM protrudes from the air outlet 17, the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing downward from the air outlet 17 by the movable lower wall 26LM, and therefore the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the lower wall 26L does not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the reverse flow of air from below the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

(C3) The indoor unit 1 further includes a movable upper wall 26UM and a moving mechanism 29 for moving the movable upper wall 26 UM. In one example, the movable upper wall 26UM and the moving mechanism 29 have the same configurations as the movable upper wall 26UM and the moving mechanism 29 according to embodiment 3. According to this configuration, since the movable upper wall 26UM protrudes from the air outlet 17, the indoor air blown out from the air outlet 17 is restricted from flowing upward from the air outlet 17 by the movable upper wall 26UM, and therefore, the air outlet flow path 26 can be extended from the air outlet 17. Accordingly, the outlet flow path 26 having the diffuser function is longer than the configuration in which the upper wall 26U does not protrude from the outlet 17, and therefore, the static pressure of the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased, and the air volume in the outlet flow path 26 can be further increased. Further, when the ventilation resistance (internal pressure loss) of the indoor unit main body 10 becomes high, the backflow of air from above the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore surge is less likely to occur.

(C4) The indoor unit 1 further includes a movable side wall 26SM, at least one of a movable lower wall 26LM and a movable upper wall 26UM, and a moving mechanism 29 that moves at least one of the movable side wall 26SM, the movable lower wall 26LM and the movable upper wall 26 UM. With this configuration, at least one effect of the above (C1) to (C3) is obtained.

In the above-described embodiments 1 to 4, the moving mechanism 29 may be omitted. In this case, the components constituting the blowing flow path 26 are always in a protruding state. That is, at least one of the two side walls 26S, the upper wall 26U, and the lower wall 26L is provided so as to protrude from the air outlet 17. In an example, in the indoor unit 1 shown in fig. 15(a) and (b), the two side walls 26S, the upper wall 26U, and the lower wall 26L, which are the components constituting the outlet flow path 26, are provided so as to protrude from the outlet port 17. In this case, for example, a protrusion 26P may be provided in a portion of the both side walls 26S on the downstream side of the air outlet 17, and the protrusion 26P may be configured such that the distance between the both side walls 26S on the downstream side of the air outlet 17 in the left-right direction of the air outlet flow path 26 is smaller than the length of the air outlet 17 in the left-right direction. In one example, as shown in fig. 15(a) and (b), the protruding portion 26P is formed in a substantially triangular pyramid shape, and the distance between the left and right directions of the both side walls 26S (the distance between the left and right directions of the protruding portion 26P) decreases from the upper wall 26U toward the lower wall 26L. Further, the surfaces 26PA where the projections 26P face each other in the left-right direction are formed such that the distance between the projections 26P in the left-right direction decreases toward the downstream side of the blowing flow path 26. The shape of the protruding portion 26P may be changed as needed, as long as the distance between the left and right directions of the two side walls 26S of the outlet flow path 26 on the downstream side of the outlet 17 is smaller than the length of the outlet 17 in the left and right directions.

In the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, the distance between the left and right directions of the two side walls 26S on the downstream side of the outlet flow path 26, which are extended so that the two side walls 26S protrude from the outlet 17, may be set so as to be always smaller than the distance between the left and right directions of the two side walls 26S on the outlet 17 side (upstream side) of the outlet flow path 26. This can increase the wind speed on the downstream side of the outlet flow path 26. Therefore, backflow of the indoor air from the air outlet 17 can be suppressed, and therefore, surging is less likely to occur.

While the embodiments and modifications of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner, comprising:

an indoor unit main body (10) having a suction port (16) and a discharge port (17);

a heat exchanger (22) that exchanges heat with air sucked from the suction port (16); and

a cross-flow fan (23) configured to blow out air, which has been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (22), from the air outlet (17),

an outlet flow path (26) is formed in the cross flow fan (23), the outlet flow path (26) is configured by a lower wall (26L), two left and right side walls (26S) and an upper wall (26U), the cross-sectional area is gradually enlarged, the outlet flow path (26) guides outlet air to the outlet (17),

the two side walls (26S) are provided so as to protrude from the air outlet (17) at least during air conditioning operation.

2. The indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner according to claim 1,

the lower wall (26L) is provided so as to protrude from the air outlet (17) at least during air conditioning operation.

3. The indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,

the upper wall (26U) is provided so as to protrude from the air outlet (17) at least during air conditioning operation.

4. The indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the air outlet flow path (26) is formed so as to protrude from the air outlet (17), and the distance between the air outlet flow path (26) and both side walls (26S) on the downstream side of the air outlet (17) in the left-right direction is smaller than the length of the air outlet (17) in the left-right direction.

5. The indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the indoor unit (1) of the air conditioner further comprises a moving mechanism (29), wherein the moving mechanism (29) is configured to be capable of changing between a storage state in which components (26S, 26L, 26U) including the side walls (26S) that form the outlet flow path (26) do not protrude from the outlet port (17) and a protruding state in which at least the side walls (26S) protrude from the outlet port (17),

the moving mechanism (29) is set to the protruding state during air conditioning operation and set to the storage state during air conditioning operation stop.

6. The indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner according to claim 5,

the moving mechanism (29) moves the components (26S, 26L, 26U) so as to reduce the cross-sectional area of a portion of the blowout flow path (26) that protrudes from the blowout port (17) when surging occurs.

7. The indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the indoor unit (1) is configured such that the ratio (H/D) of the height (H) of the indoor unit main body (10) to the outer diameter (D) of the impeller (25) of the crossflow fan (23) is less than 2.2.