EP1684021A1 - Indoor unit of air conditioner - Google Patents
Indoor unit of air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1684021A1 EP1684021A1 EP04787818A EP04787818A EP1684021A1 EP 1684021 A1 EP1684021 A1 EP 1684021A1 EP 04787818 A EP04787818 A EP 04787818A EP 04787818 A EP04787818 A EP 04787818A EP 1684021 A1 EP1684021 A1 EP 1684021A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- opening
- indoor unit
- air conditioner
- driving machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 37
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 abstract description 43
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 10
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004220 aggregation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0059—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
- F24F1/0057—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in or on a wall
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/10—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/20—Casings or covers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
- F24F11/56—Remote control
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
- Some indoor units of air conditioners are equipped with a casing with an opening provided at the front thereof and a movable panel.
- a movable panel is provided such that it covers the opening of the casing, and the movable panel opens the opening by moving away from the opening and closes the opening by moving close to the opening.
- indoor units of air conditioners are often equipped with a drive portion and a driving force transmission portion such as a gear and a cam for transmitting a driving force of the drive portion to the movable panel (refer to Patent Document 1).
- a driving force transmission portion By the driving force transmission portion, a driving force of the drive portion is transmitted to the movable panel, and the movable panel opens and closes.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprises a casing, a movable panel, a drive portion, and an opening and closing member.
- the casing is provided with an opening at the front thereof.
- the movable panel is provided such that it covers the opening, and the movable panel opens the opening by moving away from the opening and closes the opening by moving close to the opening.
- the drive portion generates a driving force for moving the movable panel.
- the opening and closing member has a driving force transmission portion and a plate member.
- the driving force transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive portion to the movable panel.
- the plate member is provided outside the driving force transmission portion, and covers a gap between the movable panel and the casing when the movable panel is in an open state.
- the opening and closing member has a plate member, which is provided outside the driving force transmission portion and covers the gap between the movable panel and the casing when the movable panel is in the open state. Consequently, when the movable panel is in the open state, the plate member makes it difficult for a person to insert his or her hand to the gap between the casing and the movable panel, and it is therefore possible to reduce the risk of a person touching the driving force transmission portion with his or her hand.
- the safety regarding the opening and closing movements of the movable panel can be improved.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the opening and closing member supports the movable panel and moves the movable panel away from the opening by protruding forward from the casing.
- the opening and closing member that supports the movable panel opens the movable panel by protruding forward from the casing.
- the movable panel moves in the above described manner, a relatively large gap is created between the casing and the movable panel, and there is a high risk that a person will insert his or her hand to the gap.
- the plate member reduces the risk of a person touching the driving force transmission portion with his or her hand, and the safety can therefore be improved.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the plate member supports the movable panel, and moves the movable panel away from the opening by protruding forward from the casing.
- the plate member supports the movable panel, and moves the movable panel away from the opening by protruding forward from the casing. Consequently, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, there is no need to separately provide a member for supporting the movable panel, and the number of components can therefore be reduced.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of the first through the third aspects, wherein the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally provided.
- the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally provided. Consequently, in the opening movement of the movable panel, the plate member moves with the movement of the driving force transmission portion. As a result, the gap between the movable panel in the open state and the casing can be covered by the plate member.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of the first through the fourth aspects, wherein the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally molded.
- the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally molded. Consequently, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the number of components can be reduced.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of the first through the fifth aspects, wherein the opening and closing member is provided adjacent to each inner surface of both sides of the casing.
- the opening and closing member is provided adjacent to the each inner surface of both sides of the casing. Consequently, it will be difficult for a person to insert his or her hand into the casing from both sides thereof. As a result, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the safety can be further improved.
- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the configuration of an air condition 1 and a refrigerant circuit thereof according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- This air conditioner 1 comprises an indoor unit 2, which is attached to a wall surface or the like in the room, and an outdoor unit 3 installed outdoors.
- This refrigerant circuit of this air conditioner 1 mainly comprises an indoor heat exchanger 20, an accumulator 31, a compressor 32, a four-way switching valve 33, an outdoor heat exchanger 30, and a motor-operated expansion valve 34.
- the indoor heat exchanger 20 provided inside the indoor unit 2 exchanges heat with the air with which it comes in contact.
- the indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor fan 21 that draws in the indoor air, passes the air through the indoor heat exchanger 20 for heat exchange, and then discharges the air into the room.
- the indoor fan 21 is rotatably driven by an indoor fan motor 22 provided inside the indoor unit 2. The configuration of the indoor unit 2 will be described in detail later.
- the outdoor unit 3 comprises the compressor 32, the four-way switching valve 33 connected to a discharge side of the compressor 32, the accumulator 31 connected to an intake side of the compressor 32, the outdoor heat exchanger 30 connected to the four-way switching valve 33, and the motor-operated expansion valve 34 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 30.
- the motor-operated expansion valve 34 is connected to a pipe 23 via a liquid shutoff valve 36, and is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger 20 via this pipe 23.
- the four-way switching valve 33 is connected to a pipe 24 via a gas shutoff valve 37, and is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 20 via this pipe 24.
- the outdoor unit 3 is provided with an outdoor fan 38 for externally discharging air after its heat has been exchanged by the outdoor heat exchanger 30.
- the outdoor fan 38 is rotatably driven by an outdoor fan motor 39.
- Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit 2.
- the indoor unit 2 is a wall-hanging type indoor unit, which is installed on a side wall of the room, and the indoor unit 2 mainly comprises a main body part 4, an outlet assembly 5, a front grill assembly 6, and a front panel 7.
- the main body part 4 has the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21 (refer to Figure 1), the indoor fan motor 22 (refer to Figure 1), an electrical component box 40, a driving machine 41 (refer to Figure 4), and a main body casing 42.
- the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, and the indoor fan motor 22 are mounted to the main body casing 42.
- the indoor fan 21 is disposed in the center of the indoor unit 2, and the indoor heat exchanger 20 having an inverted V-shape is disposed such that it covers an upper half of the indoor fan 21.
- the indoor fan motor 22 (not shown) is disposed to a right side of the indoor fan 21 in the front view.
- Figure 3(b) is a side cross sectional view of the indoor unit 2.
- the electrical component box 40 is mounted to the main body casing 42, and is disposed to the right side of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, and the indoor fan motor 22 in the front view.
- the electrical component box 40 houses a control board therein, and the control board controls each component that is necessary for heating and cooling operations and the like of the indoor unit 2.
- the driving machine 41 is disposed near a left side end of the main body casing 42, and generates a driving force to move the front panel 7.
- the driving machine 41 includes a panel opening and closing motor 43, a first drive gear 44, a second drive gear 45, and a drive casing 46.
- the panel opening and closing motor 43 is connected to a control component housed in the electrical component box 40 via a cable 430, and serves as a source of the driving force to move the front panel 7.
- the first drive gear 44 transmits the rotation of the panel opening and closing motor 43 to the second drive gear 45.
- the second drive gear 45 has a portion that is exposed from the drive casing 46, and is disposed so as to engage with a power transmission gear 66 (refer to Figure 6) included in an opening and closing mechanism 61, in a state in which a front grill 60 (casing) is mounted to the main body casing 42. Consequently, by mounting the front grill 60 to the main body part 4 and fixing the driving machine 41 to a later described fixing portion 62 (refer to Figure 4), the second drive gear 45 can be easily engaged with the power transmission gear 66.
- the second drive gear 45 transmits the rotation of the panel opening and closing motor 43 via the first drive gear 44 to the power transmission gear 66, and transmits the driving force of the panel opening and closing motor 43 to the opening and closing mechanism 61.
- the drive casing 46 houses the above mentioned panel opening and closing motor 43, the first drive gear 44, and the second drive gear 45.
- the drive casing 46 includes a locking hole 461 and a fixed portion 462.
- the locking hole 461 is an opening, which is provided in the drive casing 46, and to which a locking clip 490 on the main body casing 42 shown in Figure 4 will be inserted.
- Two locking holes 461 are provided in the drive casing 46, and each of them is formed larger than the locking clip 490. Consequently, in a state in which the locking clips 490 are inserted to the locking holes 461, the driving machine 41 is not completely fixed in an unmovable manner, but the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed in a slightly movable manner. Therefore, when regularly fixing the driving machine 41, which is conducted after the temporary fixation, the driving machine 41 can be easily positioned.
- the fixed portion 462 is a portion configured to be fixed to the fixing portion 62 of the front grill 60, and it has a screw hole.
- the fixed portion 462 is screwed to the fixing portion 62 provided at the front grill 60.
- the fixation between the fixed portion 462 and the fixing portion 62 is a fixation to securely fix the driving machine 41 to the front grill 60 to prevent the driving machine 41 from moving.
- the main body casing 42 is provided with the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, the indoor fan motor 22, the electrical component box 40, and the driving machine 41.
- the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, the indoor fan motor 22, and the electrical component box 40 are fixed to the main body casing 42, and the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed thereto.
- the main body casing 42 is molded from a resin material and has a shape such that it covers lower and back portions and the left side portion of the indoor fan 21. As shown in Figure 4, the main body casing 42 includes an indoor fan housing 47, a back portion 48, and a left side portion 49. Note that in Figure 4, views of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor fan 21 are omitted in order to facilitate understanding.
- the indoor fan housing 47 is a portion that houses the indoor fan 21 and the indoor fan motor 22, and the indoor fan housing 47 supports the indoor heat exchanger 20 that is mounted from above the indoor fan 21.
- the indoor fan motor 22 to be disposed to the right side of the indoor fan 21 is fixed to a portion near a right side end of the indoor fan housing 47, and the electrical component box 40 is fixed to the further right side thereof (refer to Figure 2).
- a lower portion of the indoor fan housing 47 is a portion to which the outlet assembly 5 is fixed, and the lower portion is provided with an opening (not shown) which communicates with a space in which the indoor fan 21 housed.
- the back portion 48 covers the back of the indoor fan 21 and the indoor heat exchanger 20, and closes a backside of the indoor unit 2.
- the left side portion 49 is a portion to which the driving machine 41 will be temporarily fixed.
- the left side portion 49 is provided near a left side end of the indoor fan housing 47, and is disposed such that it faces left side ends of the indoor fan 21 and the indoor heat exchanger 20, which are mounted to the indoor fan housing 47.
- a left side surface of the left side portion 49 is provided with the locking clip 490, with which the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed.
- Two locking clips 490 are provided to correspond to the locking holes 461, and the locking clips 490 protrude from the left side surface of the left side portion 49 to the left, in other words, the locking clips 490 protrudes from the left side portion 49 to the side opposite the indoor fan 21.
- the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed to the main body casing 42 with the locking clips 490, before the front grill 60 is mounted to the main body casing 42.
- Each locking hole 461 in the driving machine 41, to which each locking clip 490 will be inserted, is formed larger than the locking clip 490 as described above. Consequently, the driving machine 41, which is in a state of being temporarily fixed with the locking clips 490 and the locking holes 461, is temporarily fixed in a slightly movable manner.
- the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed with the fixing portion 62 of the later described front grill 60, the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed with the locking clip 490 such that the driving machine 41 is capable of moving to a position where the driving machine 41 will be fixed with the fixing portion 62.
- the outlet assembly 5 shown in Figure 2 is mounted to the main body part 4 and configures the outlet 26 (refer to Figure 3 (b)).
- the outlet 26 configured by the outlet assembly 5 is an opening wherethrough passes the air that is passed through the indoor heat exchanger 20 and is blown out into the room by the indoor fan 21.
- the outlet 26 has a horizontally long shape in the front view.
- the outlet 26 is disposed near a lower portion of the indoor unit 2 and at the front of the indoor unit 2. When the indoor unit 2 is shut down, the outlet 26 is closed by a first panel 71 of the front panel 7, which will be described later.
- the outlet assembly 5 has a horizontal flap 50 and a flap motor 51 (refer to Figure 4).
- the horizontal flap 50 has a plate-like shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 2, and guides the air that is blown out from the outlet 26.
- the horizontal flap 50 has a rotation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 2, and by being driven by the flap motor 51 and rotated about the rotation axis, the horizontal flap 50 changes the air direction in which the air is guided.
- the horizontal flap 50 configures the base of the indoor unit 2, with the base being parallel to the horizontal plane.
- the front grill assembly 6 is mounted to the main body part 4 from the front, and covers the front and side surfaces of the main body part 4.
- the front grill assembly 6 has the front grill 60 and the opening and closing mechanism 61.
- the front grill 60 is molded from a resin material, and has a shape that is thin and a generally rectangular parallelepiped with the entire backside open.
- the front grill 60 has a shape that is horizontally long and generally rectangular in the front view, and has a cross-sectional shape that is long in an up and down direction and generally rectangular in the side view.
- the front grill 60 is mounted to the main body part 4 such that it covers a front portion, left and right side portions, and upper and lower portions of the main body part 4.
- the front grill 60 is provided with the intake portion 25 and the outlet portion 29.
- the intake portion 25 is provided with an opening wherethrough passes the air that is drawn in from inside the room into the indoor unit 2 by the indoor fan 21, and the intake portion 25 has a first intake port 27 (opening) and a second intake port 28.
- the first intake port 27 is provided across a portion from near the center of the front of the front grill 60 to a top portion thereof, and is disposed such that it faces a front side of the indoor heat exchanger 20.
- the first intake port 27 is closed by a second panel 72 (movable panel) of the front panel 7, which will be described later.
- the second intake port 28 is configured by a plurality of slits that are long in the longitudinal direction of the front grill 60, and is provided at the top of the front grill 60.
- the outlet portion 29 is an opening provided at a lower portion of the front grill 60, and together with the outlet assembly 5, the outlet portion 29 configures the outlet 26.
- the outlet portion 29 is closed by the first panel 71 of the front panel 7, which will be described later.
- the fixing portion 62 is provided at the front of the front grill 60.
- the fixing portion 62 is a portion where the fixed portion 462 of the temporarily fixed driving machine 41 (drive portion) will be fixed, and the fixing portion 62 has a screw hole.
- the screw hole is provided near a left side end of the front of the front grill 60, and is disposed at a position which generally faces a screw hole in the fixed portion 462 of the driving machine 41 that is being temporarily fixed to the main body part 4.
- the screw hole in the fixed portion 462 and the screw hole in the fixing portion 62 do not have to completely coincide with each other.
- the driving machine 41 being temporarily fixed can simply be moved such that the screw hole in the fixed portion 462 will coincide with the screw hole in the fixing portion 62.
- the fixing portion 62 and the fixed portion 462 are fixed by threading a screw through the screw hole in the fixed portion 462 and the screw hole in the fixing portion 62.
- slits 600 to 603 that extend in an up and down direction. These slits 600 to 603 are disposed such that there are a total of four, two on the left and two on the right, separated above and below. Protruding from these slits 600 to 603 are portions of a first panel supporting member 67 and a second panel supporting member 68 (opening and closing member), which will be described later. The first panel 71 and the second panel 72 of the front panel 7 are respectively fixed to the above mentioned portions of the first panel supporting member 67 and the second panel supporting member 68.
- the opening and closing mechanism 61 shown in Figure 2 is a mechanism for moving the front panel 7, by the driving force of the driving machine 41 to open and close the first intake port 27 and the outlet 26.
- the opening and closing mechanism 61 is configured by a plurality of members having a gear portion.
- the opening and closing mechanism 61 functions as a speed reducing mechanism that transmits the driving force of the driving machine 41 to the first panel 71 and the second panel 72.
- the opening and closing mechanism 61 functions as a converting mechanism that converts a rotary motion transmitted from the driving machine 41 into the opening and closing movements of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72.
- the opening and closing mechanism 61 is provided at the back of the front grill 60, and has a first opening and closing mechanism 63, a second opening and closing mechanism 64, and a power transmission shaft 65.
- the first opening and closing mechanism 63 is mounted to the back of the left side surface of the front panel 7, and supports a portion near a left side end of the first panel 71 and a portion near a left side end of the second panel 72, which will be described later.
- the "left-right” here means the “left-right” when the indoor unit 2 is seen in the front view, and since Figure 6 shows the front grill 60 seen from the reverse side, the left-right in Figure 6 is reversed from that in the front view.
- the first opening and closing mechanism 63 transmits the driving force of the driving machine 41 to the portion near the left side end of the first panel 71 and to the portion near the left side end of the second panel 72, so that these portions will move. This will result in the opening and closing movements of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72.
- the second opening and closing mechanism 64 is mounted to the back of a right side surface of the front panel 7, and supports a portion near a right side end of the first panel 71 and a portion near a right side end of the second panel 72, which will be described later.
- the second opening and closing mechanism 64 transmits the driving force of the driving machine 41 to the portion near the right side end of the first panel 71 and to the portion near the right side end of the second panel 72, so that these portions will move. This will result in the opening and closing movements of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72.
- the power transmission shaft 65 is a member for distributing and transmitting the driving force of the driving machine 41 to the first opening and closing mechanism 63 and the second opening and closing mechanism 64.
- the power transmission shaft 65 is mounted to the back of the front of the first front grill 60 such that it can freely rotate about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 2. Both ends of the power transmission shaft 65 are respectively connected to the first opening and closing mechanism 63 and the second opening and closing mechanism 64, and the power transmission gear 66 is provided therebetween.
- the power transmission gear 66 is provided near the first opening and closing mechanism 63, and is disposed such that it engages with the second drive gear 45 of the driving machine 41 in a state in which the front grill 60 is mounted to the main body part 4.
- the opening and closing mechanism 61 is configured such that it distributes, by the power transmission shaft 65, the driving force of driving machine 41 to the first opening and closing mechanism 63 and the second opening and closing mechanism 64.
- first opening and closing mechanism 63 The configuration of the first opening and closing mechanism 63 is described in detail below; it should be noted that the structure of the second opening and closing mechanism 64 is symmetric to that of the first opening and closing mechanism 63.
- the first opening and closing mechanism 63 has a first opening and closing gear 630, a second opening and closing gear 631, the first panel supporting member 67, and the second panel supporting member 68.
- the first opening and closing mechanism 63 has a first opening and closing mechanism casing 69 for housing these gears and members, and is formed as a unit.
- the first opening and closing gear 630 is fixed to an end of the power transmission shaft 65, and transmits the driving force of the driving machine 41, which is transmitted via the power transmission shaft 65, to the second opening and closing gear 631.
- the second opening and closing gear 631 engages with the first opening and closing gear 630, a first gear portion 670 of the first panel supporting member 67, and a second gear portion 680 (driving force transmission portion) of the second panel supporting member 68, and transmits the driving force transmitted from the first opening and closing gear 630 to both the first panel supporting member 67 and second panel supporting member 68.
- the first panel supporting member 67 which is mounted to the first panel 71, is a flat plate shape member that supports the first panel 71.
- the first panel supporting member 67 is provided such that it can move in an up and down direction, and it is capable of moving the first panel 71 linearly in an up and down direction.
- the first panel supporting member 67 has a straight portion 671 in a linear shape, which extends parallel to an up and down direction, and a curved portion 672, which curves from a lower portion of the straight portion 671 toward the front of the indoor unit 2.
- the curved portion 672 has a tip portion that protrudes forward of the front grill 60 through the slit 601 provided at the front of the front grill 60 (refer to Figure 4).
- the first gear portion 670 is a rack gear that extends in an up and down direction, and converts a rotary motion of the second opening and closing gear 631 to a linear motion in an up and down direction. As a result, the rotary motion of the driving machine 41 is converted to the linear motion of the first panel 71 in an up and down direction.
- the second panel supporting member 68 which is mounted to the second panel 72, is a flat plate shape member that supports the second panel 72.
- the second panel supporting member 68 is provided such that it can move in a front and back direction, and it is capable of moving the second panel 72 in a front and back direction.
- the second panel supporting member 68 draws a gentle circular arc as it moves in a front and back direction.
- the second panel supporting member 68 is integrally molded from a resin material, and has the second gear portion 680 and a plate member 681.
- the second gear portion 680 is provided such that it protrudes from inside the plate member 681, and it engages with the second opening and closing gear 631.
- the second gear portion 680 is a rack gear that extends in a front and back direction drawing a gentle circular arc.
- the second gear portion 680 converts the rotary motion of the second opening and closing gear 631 to a circular arc motion and transmits the driving force of the driving machine 41 to the second panel 72.
- the plate member 681 is provided at the outer sides (left sides) of the first opening and closing gear 630, the second opening and closing gear 631, and the first panel supporting member 67.
- the plate member 681 covers the outer sides of the first opening and closing gear 630, the second opening and closing gear 631, and the first panel supporting member 67.
- a front end of the plate member 681 protrudes forward through the slit 600 that is provided at a front surface of the front panel 7. To this front end is fixed the portion near the left side end of the second panel 72 and thereby the portion near the left side end of the second panel 72 is supported.
- the plate member 681 moves such that it draws a gentle circular arc as mentioned above by the driving force of the driving machine 41 transmitted to the second gear portion 680.
- the plate member 681 moves the second panel 72 away from the first intake port 27 by further protruding from the slit 600 forward of the front grill 60.
- the plate member 681 protrudes greatly from the slit 600 forward of the front grill 60 and covers sides of a gap between the second panel 72 and the front grill 60 (refer to Figure 8).
- the plate member 681 can prevent a room occupant from inserting his or her hand into the gap between the second panel 72 and the front grill 60 from a side of the gap.
- the plate member 681 is located at the outer sides of the second gear portion 680, the first opening and closing gear 630, the second opening and closing gear 631, and the like, a room occupant is prevented from touching the second gear portion 680, the first opening and closing gear 630, the second opening and closing gear 631, and the like, with his or her hand.
- a front panel 7 covers generally the entire front of the front grill 60.
- the front panel 7 covers the outlet 26 and the first intake port 27 in the front view, and opens and closes the outlet 26 and the first intake port 27.
- the front panel 7 is a panel assembly, which is an aggregation of a plurality of seamless panels, and the front panel 7 has the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and a third panel 73.
- the first panel 71 is movably disposed at the front lower portion of the front grill 60 so as to open and close the outlet 26, and the first panel 71 is disposed such that it covers the outlet 26.
- the first panel 71 is supported at the portions near both right and left ends thereof by the opening and closing mechanism 61 such that it can move parallel to an up and down direction, and the first panel 71 opens and closes the outlet 26.
- the first panel 71 is a member in a rectangular, flat plate shape without a seam, and the width thereof is substantially equal to the width W of the front grill 60 in the front view.
- the front side of the first panel 71 is formed in a generally flat shape with a smooth texture without a concave or convex portion, opening such as a hole, or the like.
- this first panel 71 becomes parallel to an up and down direction in a state in which the outlet 26 is closed by the first panel 71.
- the first panel 71 has a projected area that is larger than the outlet 26 in the front view. Consequently, in the state in which the outlet 26 is closed by the first panel 71, the first panel 71 completely covers the entire front lower portion of the front grill 60 including the outlet 26.
- the first panel 71 is molded from a transparent resin mixed with luminous particles such as pearl particles, and the first panel 71 has a transparent resin layer mixed with such particles. Also, on the back of the transparent resin layer, there is provided a paint layer to which a color scheme, pattern, and the like are applied.
- This paint layer is formed by applying paint on the back of the first panel 71.
- the first panel 71 has a highly attractive design.
- the first panel 71 functions as a design panel which enhances the design of the indoor unit 2.
- the second panel 72 is formed as a separate body from the first panel 71.
- the second panel 72 is movably disposed at a front upper portion of the front grill 60 so as to open and close the first intake port 27, and the second panel 72 is disposed such that it covers the first intake port 27.
- the second panel 72 is supported at the portions near both the right and left ends thereof by the opening and closing mechanism 61 such that it can move in a front and back direction.
- the second panel 72 opens the first intake port 27 by moving away from the first intake port 27 and closes the first intake port 27 by moving close to the first intake port 27.
- the second panel 72 is a member in a rectangular, flat plate shape without a seam, and in the front view, the width thereof is substantially equal to the width W of the front grill 60 including the first intake port 27.
- the front side of the second panel 72 is formed in a generally flat shape with a smooth texture without a concave or convex portion, opening such as a hole, or the like. As shown in Figure 3(a) and Figure 8(a), this second panel 72 will be parallel to an up and down direction in the state in which the first intake port 27 is closed by the second panel 72. In addition, the second panel 72 has a projected area that is larger than the first intake port 27 in the front view. Consequently, in the state in which the first intake port 27 is closed by the second panel 72, the second panel 72 completely covers the entire front upper portion of the front grill 60 including the first intake port 27.
- the second panel 72 is molded from a transparent resin mixed with luminous particles such as pearl particles, and the first panel 71 has a transparent resin layer mixed with such particles. Also, on the back of the transparent resin layer, there is provided a paint layer to which a color scheme, pattern, and the like are applied. This paint layer is formed by applying paint on the back of the second panel 72. In this way, the second panel 72 has a highly attractive design. By being disposed at the front where it is easily seen by a room occupant, the second panel 72 functions as a design panel which enhances the design of the indoor unit 2.
- the third panel 73 is disposed between the first panel 71 and the second panel 72.
- the third panel 73 has a seamless rectangular shape in the front view.
- the third panel 73 has a width W that is substantially equal to that of the front grill 60, and has a length in an up and down direction that is substantially equal to that of the first panel 71.
- the front side of the third panel 73 is formed in a generally flat shape with a smooth texture without a concave or convex portion, opening such as a hole, or the like.
- portions near left and right ends of the third panel 73 are respectively fixed to left and right side surfaces of the front grill 60, and the third panel 73 is disposed such that a front surface portion thereof is spaced apart from the front of the front grill 60 in a front and back direction.
- the third panel 73 is molded from an opaque resin material.
- the first panel 71 completely covers the front lower portion of the front grill 60 including the outlet 26
- the second panel 72 completely covers the front upper portion of the front grill 60 including the first intake port 27.
- the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are disposed such that they are aligned above and below one another. In the state in which the outlet 26 and the first intake port 27 are closed, they are disposed so as to configure a generally flat, rectangular plane.
- the front panel 7 configured by the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 cover the generally entire front of the indoor unit 2, and only the seams created at the borderlines of the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 appear. In other words, only the horizontally extending seams created at the borderline between the first panel 71 and the third panel 73 and at the borderline between the second panel 72 and the third panel 73 appear in the front view.
- first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are parallel to an up and down direction, and in the state in which the outlet 26 and the first intake port 27 are closed by the front panel 7, the front panel 7 forms a flat surface that is parallel to an up and down direction.
- the front panel 7 since the front panel 7 is formed to have such a flat shape, the aesthetic appearance is enhanced.
- the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 close the outlet 26 and the first intake port 27.
- the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are disposed in a generally straight line parallel to an up and down direction in the side view.
- the front sides of the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are formed to be generally flat. Note that in this state, the first panel supporting member 67 of the opening and closing mechanism 61 is positioned at the lowest portion within the range of movement. In addition, the second panel supporting member 68 is positioned at the rearmost portion within the range of movement.
- the panel opening and closing motor 43 of the driving machine 41 is controlled and starts rotating. Then, the driving force of the driving machine 41 is transmitted to the power transmission shaft 65, and the driving force is distributed and transmitted to the first opening and closing mechanism 63 and the second opening and closing mechanism 64. Then, the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 are moved by the first opening and closing mechanism 63 and the second opening and closing mechanism 64, and consequently the outlet 26 and the first intake port 27 are opened.
- the driving force is transmitted to the first panel supporting member 67 via the first opening and closing gear 630 and the second opening and closing gear 631.
- the driving force is transmitted from the second opening and closing gear 631 to the first gear portion 670 of the first panel supporting member 67, the rotary motion is converted into an upward linear motion, and consequently the first panel supporting member 67 moves linearly upward.
- the second opening and closing mechanism 64 the driving force of the same driving machine 41 is transmitted, and consequently a similar movement is performed.
- the first panel 71 moves upward parallel to an up and down direction so as to open the outlet 26.
- the second opening and closing mechanism 64 the driving force of the same driving machine 41 is transmitted, and consequently a similar movement is performed.
- the second panel supporting member 68 protrudes forward from the front of the front grill 60. Consequently, as shown in Figure 8(b), the second panel 72 moves forward, and also rotates about the axis that is parallel to a left to right direction in the front view. The second panel 72 rotates about a portion near a lower end thereof such that its upper end leans forward. As shown in Figure 8(c), the second panel 72 moves further, and consequently a gap is formed between the front grill 60 and the second panel 72. As a result, the first intake port 27 is opened.
- the horizontal flap 50 (refer to Figure 2) rotatably moves such that it is positioned at an outlet angle that corresponds to the set operation mode.
- the panel opening and closing motor 43 of the driving machine 41 is controlled so as to rotate in the reverse direction, and consequently the first panel supporting member 67 and the second panel supporting member 68 move in a direction opposite to the above described direction.
- the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 move in the direction opposite to the above described direction, and consequently the front panel 7 returns to its flat form.
- this method for assembling the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 mainly includes step S1 of assembling the main body part 4, step S5 of mounting the outlet assembly 5, step S6 of mounting the front grill assembly 6, step S7 of regularly fixing the driving machine 41, and step S8 of mounting the front panel 7.
- Step S1 of assembling the main body part 4 further includes step S2 of mounting the heat exchanger and other components, step S3 of temporarily fixing the driving machine 41, and step S4 of connecting wires.
- step S2 of mounting the heat exchanger and other components components such as the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, the indoor fan motor 22, and the electrical component box 40 are mounted to the main body casing 42.
- step S3 of temporarily fixing the driving machine 41 the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed to the left side portion 49 of the main body casing 42.
- the driving machine 41 is consequently temporarily fixed to the left side portion 49.
- the temporarily fixed driving machine 41 is disposed such that the fixed portion 462 of the driving machine 41 will generally coincide with the fixing portion 62 of the front grill 60 in a state in which the front grill 60 is mounted to the main body part 4.
- step S4 of connecting wires the panel opening and closing motor 43 of the driving machine 41 and the control board of the electrical component box 40 are connected via a cable 430.
- the cable 430 is extended along the main body casing 42 from the driving machine 41 to the electrical component box 40.
- step S5 of mounting the outlet assembly 5 the outlet assembly 5 is mounted to the main body part 4.
- the outlet assembly 5 is mounted to the main body part 4 such that the space wherein the indoor fan 21 of the main body part 4 is housed communicates with the outlet 26.
- step S6 of mounting the front grill assembly 6 the front grill assembly 6 is mounted to the main body part 4.
- the front grill assembly 6 covers the main body part 4 from the front of the main body part 4, and is fixed to the main body part 4 by screwing or fitting.
- step S7 of regularly fixing the driving machine 41 the driving machine 41 is regularly fixed to the front panel 7.
- a screw is threaded into the screw hole in the fixing portion 62 of the front panel 7 and the screw hole in the fixed portion 462 of the driving machine 41. Consequently, the driving machine 41 and the front panel 7 are fixed to each other.
- the driving machine 41 is in a state of being temporarily fixed to the main body casing 42, and the screw hole in the fixing portion 62 of the front panel 7 and the screw hole in the fixed portion 462 of the driving machine 41 are disposed adjacent each other.
- step S8 of mounting the front panel 7 the front panel 7 is mounted to the front grill 60.
- the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 are respectively fixed to tip portions of the first panel supporting member 67 and tip portions of the second panel supporting member 68 of the opening and closing mechanism 61, with the tip portions protruding from the slits 600 to 603 at the front of the front grill 60.
- the third panel 73 is fixed to the front grill 60.
- steps S 1 to S8 does not have to be performed in the above described order. If possible, the order can be altered.
- the driving force of the driving machine 41 is distributed and transmitted to the first panel supporting member 67 and the second panel supporting member 68, the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 move in a linked manner. Consequently, the opening and closing movements of the first intake port 27 and the outlet 26 can be easily performed in synchronization.
- a total of four movements including the movements near both the right and left ends of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 and the movements of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 are performed by the driving force of the single panel opening and closing motor 43. Consequently, the synchronization of these four movements can be performed precisely, and the opening and closing movements can be performed in a timely manner.
- the present invention is effective in improving the safety regarding the opening and closing movements of the movable panel, and the present invention is useful as an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
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- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
- Some indoor units of air conditioners are equipped with a casing with an opening provided at the front thereof and a movable panel. Such a movable panel is provided such that it covers the opening of the casing, and the movable panel opens the opening by moving away from the opening and closes the opening by moving close to the opening. In addition, in order to move the movable panel in such a way, indoor units of air conditioners are often equipped with a drive portion and a driving force transmission portion such as a gear and a cam for transmitting a driving force of the drive portion to the movable panel (refer to Patent Document 1). By the driving force transmission portion, a driving force of the drive portion is transmitted to the movable panel, and the movable panel opens and closes.
- Japanese Utility Model Publication No. H07-12821
- However, with the above described type of indoor unit of an air conditioner, there is a risk that a person's hand will get near the driving force transmission portion. In other words, when there is a gap between the movable panel in an open state and the casing, there is a risk that a person will insert his or her hand near the driving force transmission portion from the gap and the hand may touch the driving force transmission portion.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which can improve the safety regarding the opening and closing movements of a movable panel.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a casing, a movable panel, a drive portion, and an opening and closing member. The casing is provided with an opening at the front thereof. The movable panel is provided such that it covers the opening, and the movable panel opens the opening by moving away from the opening and closes the opening by moving close to the opening. The drive portion generates a driving force for moving the movable panel. The opening and closing member has a driving force transmission portion and a plate member. The driving force transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive portion to the movable panel. The plate member is provided outside the driving force transmission portion, and covers a gap between the movable panel and the casing when the movable panel is in an open state.
- With this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the opening and closing member has a plate member, which is provided outside the driving force transmission portion and covers the gap between the movable panel and the casing when the movable panel is in the open state. Consequently, when the movable panel is in the open state, the plate member makes it difficult for a person to insert his or her hand to the gap between the casing and the movable panel, and it is therefore possible to reduce the risk of a person touching the driving force transmission portion with his or her hand. Thus, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the safety regarding the opening and closing movements of the movable panel can be improved.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the opening and closing member supports the movable panel and moves the movable panel away from the opening by protruding forward from the casing.
- With this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the opening and closing member that supports the movable panel opens the movable panel by protruding forward from the casing. When the movable panel moves in the above described manner, a relatively large gap is created between the casing and the movable panel, and there is a high risk that a person will insert his or her hand to the gap. However, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the plate member reduces the risk of a person touching the driving force transmission portion with his or her hand, and the safety can therefore be improved.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the plate member supports the movable panel, and moves the movable panel away from the opening by protruding forward from the casing.
- With this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the plate member supports the movable panel, and moves the movable panel away from the opening by protruding forward from the casing. Consequently, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, there is no need to separately provide a member for supporting the movable panel, and the number of components can therefore be reduced.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of the first through the third aspects, wherein the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally provided.
- With this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally provided. Consequently, in the opening movement of the movable panel, the plate member moves with the movement of the driving force transmission portion. As a result, the gap between the movable panel in the open state and the casing can be covered by the plate member.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of the first through the fourth aspects, wherein the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally molded.
- With this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the driving force transmission portion and the plate member are integrally molded. Consequently, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the number of components can be reduced.
- An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of the first through the fifth aspects, wherein the opening and closing member is provided adjacent to each inner surface of both sides of the casing.
- With this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the opening and closing member is provided adjacent to the each inner surface of both sides of the casing. Consequently, it will be difficult for a person to insert his or her hand into the casing from both sides thereof. As a result, with this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the safety can be further improved.
-
- Figure 1 is a view of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner.
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an indoor unit.
- Figure 3 (a) is a front view of the indoor unit.
- Figure 3(b) is a side cross sectional view of the indoor unit.
- Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the vicinity of a left side end of the indoor unit.
- Figure 5 is a side view of a driving machine.
- Figure 6 is a view of a front grill assembly seen from the reverse side.
- Figure 7 is a side view of a first opening and closing mechanism.
- Figure 8 is a view showing the opening and closing movements of a first panel and a second panel.
- Figure 9 is a flow showing a method for assembling the indoor unit.
-
- 1
- air conditioner
- 2
- indoor unit
- 27
- first intake port (opening)
- 41
- driving machine (drive portion)
- 60
- front grill (casing)
- 68
- second panel supporting member (opening and closing member)
- 72
- second panel (movable panel)
- 680
- second gear portion (driving force transmission portion)
- 681
- plate member
- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the configuration of an air condition 1 and a refrigerant circuit thereof according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- This air conditioner 1 comprises an
indoor unit 2, which is attached to a wall surface or the like in the room, and anoutdoor unit 3 installed outdoors. - This refrigerant circuit of this air conditioner 1 mainly comprises an
indoor heat exchanger 20, anaccumulator 31, acompressor 32, a four-way switching valve 33, anoutdoor heat exchanger 30, and a motor-operatedexpansion valve 34. - The
indoor heat exchanger 20 provided inside theindoor unit 2 exchanges heat with the air with which it comes in contact. In addition, theindoor unit 2 is provided with anindoor fan 21 that draws in the indoor air, passes the air through theindoor heat exchanger 20 for heat exchange, and then discharges the air into the room. Theindoor fan 21 is rotatably driven by anindoor fan motor 22 provided inside theindoor unit 2. The configuration of theindoor unit 2 will be described in detail later. - The
outdoor unit 3 comprises thecompressor 32, the four-way switching valve 33 connected to a discharge side of thecompressor 32, theaccumulator 31 connected to an intake side of thecompressor 32, theoutdoor heat exchanger 30 connected to the four-way switching valve 33, and the motor-operatedexpansion valve 34 connected to theoutdoor heat exchanger 30. The motor-operatedexpansion valve 34 is connected to apipe 23 via aliquid shutoff valve 36, and is connected to one end of theindoor heat exchanger 20 via thispipe 23. In addition, the four-way switching valve 33 is connected to apipe 24 via agas shutoff valve 37, and is connected to the other end of theindoor heat exchanger 20 via thispipe 24. In addition, theoutdoor unit 3 is provided with anoutdoor fan 38 for externally discharging air after its heat has been exchanged by theoutdoor heat exchanger 30. Theoutdoor fan 38 is rotatably driven by anoutdoor fan motor 39. - Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the
indoor unit 2. - The
indoor unit 2 is a wall-hanging type indoor unit, which is installed on a side wall of the room, and theindoor unit 2 mainly comprises amain body part 4, anoutlet assembly 5, afront grill assembly 6, and afront panel 7. - The
main body part 4 has theindoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21 (refer to Figure 1), the indoor fan motor 22 (refer to Figure 1), anelectrical component box 40, a driving machine 41 (refer to Figure 4), and amain body casing 42. - The
indoor heat exchanger 20, theindoor fan 21, and theindoor fan motor 22 are mounted to themain body casing 42. As shown in Figure 3(b), as for theindoor heat exchanger 20 and theindoor fan 21 in the side view, theindoor fan 21 is disposed in the center of theindoor unit 2, and theindoor heat exchanger 20 having an inverted V-shape is disposed such that it covers an upper half of theindoor fan 21. In addition, the indoor fan motor 22 (not shown) is disposed to a right side of theindoor fan 21 in the front view. Note that Figure 3(b) is a side cross sectional view of theindoor unit 2. - As shown in Figure 2, the
electrical component box 40 is mounted to themain body casing 42, and is disposed to the right side of theindoor heat exchanger 20, theindoor fan 21, and theindoor fan motor 22 in the front view. Theelectrical component box 40 houses a control board therein, and the control board controls each component that is necessary for heating and cooling operations and the like of theindoor unit 2. - As shown in Figure 4, the driving
machine 41 is disposed near a left side end of themain body casing 42, and generates a driving force to move thefront panel 7. As shown in Figure 5, the drivingmachine 41 includes a panel opening and closingmotor 43, afirst drive gear 44, asecond drive gear 45, and adrive casing 46. - The panel opening and closing
motor 43 is connected to a control component housed in theelectrical component box 40 via acable 430, and serves as a source of the driving force to move thefront panel 7. - The
first drive gear 44 transmits the rotation of the panel opening and closingmotor 43 to thesecond drive gear 45. - The
second drive gear 45 has a portion that is exposed from thedrive casing 46, and is disposed so as to engage with a power transmission gear 66 (refer to Figure 6) included in an opening andclosing mechanism 61, in a state in which a front grill 60 (casing) is mounted to themain body casing 42. Consequently, by mounting thefront grill 60 to themain body part 4 and fixing the drivingmachine 41 to a later described fixing portion 62 (refer to Figure 4), thesecond drive gear 45 can be easily engaged with thepower transmission gear 66. Thesecond drive gear 45 transmits the rotation of the panel opening and closingmotor 43 via thefirst drive gear 44 to thepower transmission gear 66, and transmits the driving force of the panel opening and closingmotor 43 to the opening andclosing mechanism 61. - The
drive casing 46 houses the above mentioned panel opening and closingmotor 43, thefirst drive gear 44, and thesecond drive gear 45. In addition, thedrive casing 46 includes alocking hole 461 and a fixedportion 462. - The
locking hole 461 is an opening, which is provided in thedrive casing 46, and to which alocking clip 490 on the main body casing 42 shown in Figure 4 will be inserted. Two lockingholes 461 are provided in thedrive casing 46, and each of them is formed larger than thelocking clip 490. Consequently, in a state in which the locking clips 490 are inserted to the locking holes 461, the drivingmachine 41 is not completely fixed in an unmovable manner, but the drivingmachine 41 is temporarily fixed in a slightly movable manner. Therefore, when regularly fixing the drivingmachine 41, which is conducted after the temporary fixation, the drivingmachine 41 can be easily positioned. - The fixed
portion 462 is a portion configured to be fixed to the fixingportion 62 of thefront grill 60, and it has a screw hole. The fixedportion 462 is screwed to the fixingportion 62 provided at thefront grill 60. Unlike the temporary fixation between the lockinghole 461 and thelocking clip 490, the fixation between the fixedportion 462 and the fixingportion 62 is a fixation to securely fix the drivingmachine 41 to thefront grill 60 to prevent the drivingmachine 41 from moving. - The
main body casing 42 is provided with theindoor heat exchanger 20, theindoor fan 21, theindoor fan motor 22, theelectrical component box 40, and the drivingmachine 41. Theindoor heat exchanger 20, theindoor fan 21, theindoor fan motor 22, and theelectrical component box 40 are fixed to themain body casing 42, and the drivingmachine 41 is temporarily fixed thereto. Themain body casing 42 is molded from a resin material and has a shape such that it covers lower and back portions and the left side portion of theindoor fan 21. As shown in Figure 4, themain body casing 42 includes anindoor fan housing 47, aback portion 48, and aleft side portion 49. Note that in Figure 4, views of theindoor heat exchanger 20 and theindoor fan 21 are omitted in order to facilitate understanding. - The
indoor fan housing 47 is a portion that houses theindoor fan 21 and theindoor fan motor 22, and theindoor fan housing 47 supports theindoor heat exchanger 20 that is mounted from above theindoor fan 21. Theindoor fan motor 22 to be disposed to the right side of theindoor fan 21 is fixed to a portion near a right side end of theindoor fan housing 47, and theelectrical component box 40 is fixed to the further right side thereof (refer to Figure 2). A lower portion of theindoor fan housing 47 is a portion to which theoutlet assembly 5 is fixed, and the lower portion is provided with an opening (not shown) which communicates with a space in which theindoor fan 21 housed. As a result of mounting theoutlet assembly 5 to the lower portion of theindoor fan housing 47, the space of theindoor fan housing 47, in which theindoor fan 21 is housed, will communicate with the outlet 26 (refer to Figure 3(b)). - The
back portion 48 covers the back of theindoor fan 21 and theindoor heat exchanger 20, and closes a backside of theindoor unit 2. - The
left side portion 49 is a portion to which the drivingmachine 41 will be temporarily fixed. Theleft side portion 49 is provided near a left side end of theindoor fan housing 47, and is disposed such that it faces left side ends of theindoor fan 21 and theindoor heat exchanger 20, which are mounted to theindoor fan housing 47. A left side surface of theleft side portion 49 is provided with thelocking clip 490, with which the drivingmachine 41 is temporarily fixed. Two lockingclips 490 are provided to correspond to the locking holes 461, and the locking clips 490 protrude from the left side surface of theleft side portion 49 to the left, in other words, the locking clips 490 protrudes from theleft side portion 49 to the side opposite theindoor fan 21. The drivingmachine 41 is temporarily fixed to the main body casing 42 with the locking clips 490, before thefront grill 60 is mounted to themain body casing 42. Each lockinghole 461 in the drivingmachine 41, to which eachlocking clip 490 will be inserted, is formed larger than thelocking clip 490 as described above. Consequently, the drivingmachine 41, which is in a state of being temporarily fixed with the locking clips 490 and the locking holes 461, is temporarily fixed in a slightly movable manner. When the drivingmachine 41 is fixed with the fixingportion 62 of the later describedfront grill 60, the drivingmachine 41 is temporarily fixed with thelocking clip 490 such that the drivingmachine 41 is capable of moving to a position where the drivingmachine 41 will be fixed with the fixingportion 62. - The
outlet assembly 5 shown in Figure 2 is mounted to themain body part 4 and configures the outlet 26 (refer to Figure 3 (b)). Theoutlet 26 configured by theoutlet assembly 5 is an opening wherethrough passes the air that is passed through theindoor heat exchanger 20 and is blown out into the room by theindoor fan 21. Theoutlet 26 has a horizontally long shape in the front view. In addition, theoutlet 26 is disposed near a lower portion of theindoor unit 2 and at the front of theindoor unit 2. When theindoor unit 2 is shut down, theoutlet 26 is closed by afirst panel 71 of thefront panel 7, which will be described later. - The
outlet assembly 5 has ahorizontal flap 50 and a flap motor 51 (refer to Figure 4). Thehorizontal flap 50 has a plate-like shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of theindoor unit 2, and guides the air that is blown out from theoutlet 26. Thehorizontal flap 50 has a rotation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of theindoor unit 2, and by being driven by theflap motor 51 and rotated about the rotation axis, thehorizontal flap 50 changes the air direction in which the air is guided. In addition, by moving so as to be parallel to the horizontal plane, thehorizontal flap 50 configures the base of theindoor unit 2, with the base being parallel to the horizontal plane. - The
front grill assembly 6 is mounted to themain body part 4 from the front, and covers the front and side surfaces of themain body part 4. Thefront grill assembly 6 has thefront grill 60 and the opening andclosing mechanism 61. - The
front grill 60 is molded from a resin material, and has a shape that is thin and a generally rectangular parallelepiped with the entire backside open. Thefront grill 60 has a shape that is horizontally long and generally rectangular in the front view, and has a cross-sectional shape that is long in an up and down direction and generally rectangular in the side view. Thefront grill 60 is mounted to themain body part 4 such that it covers a front portion, left and right side portions, and upper and lower portions of themain body part 4. In addition, thefront grill 60 is provided with theintake portion 25 and theoutlet portion 29. - The
intake portion 25 is provided with an opening wherethrough passes the air that is drawn in from inside the room into theindoor unit 2 by theindoor fan 21, and theintake portion 25 has a first intake port 27 (opening) and asecond intake port 28. Thefirst intake port 27 is provided across a portion from near the center of the front of thefront grill 60 to a top portion thereof, and is disposed such that it faces a front side of theindoor heat exchanger 20. When theindoor unit 2 is shut down, thefirst intake port 27 is closed by a second panel 72 (movable panel) of thefront panel 7, which will be described later. Thesecond intake port 28 is configured by a plurality of slits that are long in the longitudinal direction of thefront grill 60, and is provided at the top of thefront grill 60. - The
outlet portion 29 is an opening provided at a lower portion of thefront grill 60, and together with theoutlet assembly 5, theoutlet portion 29 configures theoutlet 26. Theoutlet portion 29 is closed by thefirst panel 71 of thefront panel 7, which will be described later. - In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the fixing
portion 62 is provided at the front of thefront grill 60. The fixingportion 62 is a portion where the fixedportion 462 of the temporarily fixed driving machine 41 (drive portion) will be fixed, and the fixingportion 62 has a screw hole. The screw hole is provided near a left side end of the front of thefront grill 60, and is disposed at a position which generally faces a screw hole in the fixedportion 462 of the drivingmachine 41 that is being temporarily fixed to themain body part 4. However, in the temporary fixation step, the screw hole in the fixedportion 462 and the screw hole in the fixingportion 62 do not have to completely coincide with each other. Instead, in the regular fixation step in which the fixedportion 462 and the fixingportion 62 are fixed, the drivingmachine 41 being temporarily fixed can simply be moved such that the screw hole in the fixedportion 462 will coincide with the screw hole in the fixingportion 62. The fixingportion 62 and the fixedportion 462 are fixed by threading a screw through the screw hole in the fixedportion 462 and the screw hole in the fixingportion 62. - At portions near both sides ends of the front of the
front grill 60, there are providedslits 600 to 603 that extend in an up and down direction. Theseslits 600 to 603 are disposed such that there are a total of four, two on the left and two on the right, separated above and below. Protruding from theseslits 600 to 603 are portions of a firstpanel supporting member 67 and a second panel supporting member 68 (opening and closing member), which will be described later. Thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 of thefront panel 7 are respectively fixed to the above mentioned portions of the firstpanel supporting member 67 and the secondpanel supporting member 68. - The opening and
closing mechanism 61 shown in Figure 2 is a mechanism for moving thefront panel 7, by the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 to open and close thefirst intake port 27 and theoutlet 26. The opening andclosing mechanism 61 is configured by a plurality of members having a gear portion. The opening andclosing mechanism 61 functions as a speed reducing mechanism that transmits the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 to thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72. In addition, the opening andclosing mechanism 61 functions as a converting mechanism that converts a rotary motion transmitted from the drivingmachine 41 into the opening and closing movements of thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72. As shown in Figure 6, the opening andclosing mechanism 61 is provided at the back of thefront grill 60, and has a first opening andclosing mechanism 63, a second opening andclosing mechanism 64, and apower transmission shaft 65. - The first opening and
closing mechanism 63 is mounted to the back of the left side surface of thefront panel 7, and supports a portion near a left side end of thefirst panel 71 and a portion near a left side end of thesecond panel 72, which will be described later. Note that the "left-right" here means the "left-right" when theindoor unit 2 is seen in the front view, and since Figure 6 shows thefront grill 60 seen from the reverse side, the left-right in Figure 6 is reversed from that in the front view. When opening and closing thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72, the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 transmits the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 to the portion near the left side end of thefirst panel 71 and to the portion near the left side end of thesecond panel 72, so that these portions will move. This will result in the opening and closing movements of thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72. - The second opening and
closing mechanism 64 is mounted to the back of a right side surface of thefront panel 7, and supports a portion near a right side end of thefirst panel 71 and a portion near a right side end of thesecond panel 72, which will be described later. When opening and closing thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72, the second opening andclosing mechanism 64 transmits the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 to the portion near the right side end of thefirst panel 71 and to the portion near the right side end of thesecond panel 72, so that these portions will move. This will result in the opening and closing movements of thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72. - The
power transmission shaft 65 is a member for distributing and transmitting the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 to the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64. Thepower transmission shaft 65 is mounted to the back of the front of the firstfront grill 60 such that it can freely rotate about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of theindoor unit 2. Both ends of thepower transmission shaft 65 are respectively connected to the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64, and thepower transmission gear 66 is provided therebetween. Thepower transmission gear 66 is provided near the first opening andclosing mechanism 63, and is disposed such that it engages with thesecond drive gear 45 of the drivingmachine 41 in a state in which thefront grill 60 is mounted to themain body part 4. In this way, the opening andclosing mechanism 61 is configured such that it distributes, by thepower transmission shaft 65, the driving force of drivingmachine 41 to the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64. - The configuration of the first opening and
closing mechanism 63 is described in detail below; it should be noted that the structure of the second opening andclosing mechanism 64 is symmetric to that of the first opening andclosing mechanism 63. - As shown in Figure 7, the first opening and
closing mechanism 63 has a first opening andclosing gear 630, a second opening andclosing gear 631, the firstpanel supporting member 67, and the secondpanel supporting member 68. In addition, the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 has a first opening andclosing mechanism casing 69 for housing these gears and members, and is formed as a unit. - The first opening and
closing gear 630 is fixed to an end of thepower transmission shaft 65, and transmits the driving force of the drivingmachine 41, which is transmitted via thepower transmission shaft 65, to the second opening andclosing gear 631. - The second opening and
closing gear 631 engages with the first opening andclosing gear 630, afirst gear portion 670 of the firstpanel supporting member 67, and a second gear portion 680 (driving force transmission portion) of the secondpanel supporting member 68, and transmits the driving force transmitted from the first opening andclosing gear 630 to both the firstpanel supporting member 67 and secondpanel supporting member 68. - The first
panel supporting member 67, which is mounted to thefirst panel 71, is a flat plate shape member that supports thefirst panel 71. The firstpanel supporting member 67 is provided such that it can move in an up and down direction, and it is capable of moving thefirst panel 71 linearly in an up and down direction. The firstpanel supporting member 67 has astraight portion 671 in a linear shape, which extends parallel to an up and down direction, and acurved portion 672, which curves from a lower portion of thestraight portion 671 toward the front of theindoor unit 2. Also, thecurved portion 672 has a tip portion that protrudes forward of thefront grill 60 through theslit 601 provided at the front of the front grill 60 (refer to Figure 4). To this tip potion of thecurved portion 672 is fixed the portion near the left side end of thefirst panel 71. In addition, at thestraight portion 671, there is provided thefirst gear portion 670. Thefirst gear portion 670 is a rack gear that extends in an up and down direction, and converts a rotary motion of the second opening andclosing gear 631 to a linear motion in an up and down direction. As a result, the rotary motion of the drivingmachine 41 is converted to the linear motion of thefirst panel 71 in an up and down direction. - The second
panel supporting member 68, which is mounted to thesecond panel 72, is a flat plate shape member that supports thesecond panel 72. The secondpanel supporting member 68 is provided such that it can move in a front and back direction, and it is capable of moving thesecond panel 72 in a front and back direction. In detail, the secondpanel supporting member 68 draws a gentle circular arc as it moves in a front and back direction. In other words, when thesecond panel 72 moves forward, thesecond panel 72 moves such that its upper end leans forward, whereas when thesecond panel 72 moves backward, thesecond panel 72 moves such that the upper end leaning forward will return to its original position and thesecond panel 72 becomes parallel to an up and down direction (refer to Figure 8). The secondpanel supporting member 68 is integrally molded from a resin material, and has thesecond gear portion 680 and aplate member 681. - The
second gear portion 680 is provided such that it protrudes from inside theplate member 681, and it engages with the second opening andclosing gear 631. Thesecond gear portion 680 is a rack gear that extends in a front and back direction drawing a gentle circular arc. Thesecond gear portion 680 converts the rotary motion of the second opening andclosing gear 631 to a circular arc motion and transmits the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 to thesecond panel 72. - The
plate member 681 is provided at the outer sides (left sides) of the first opening andclosing gear 630, the second opening andclosing gear 631, and the firstpanel supporting member 67. Theplate member 681 covers the outer sides of the first opening andclosing gear 630, the second opening andclosing gear 631, and the firstpanel supporting member 67. A front end of theplate member 681 protrudes forward through theslit 600 that is provided at a front surface of thefront panel 7. To this front end is fixed the portion near the left side end of thesecond panel 72 and thereby the portion near the left side end of thesecond panel 72 is supported. Theplate member 681 moves such that it draws a gentle circular arc as mentioned above by the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 transmitted to thesecond gear portion 680. As for the opening movement of thesecond panel 72, theplate member 681 moves thesecond panel 72 away from thefirst intake port 27 by further protruding from theslit 600 forward of thefront grill 60. Specifically, as for the open state of thesecond panel 72, theplate member 681 protrudes greatly from theslit 600 forward of thefront grill 60 and covers sides of a gap between thesecond panel 72 and the front grill 60 (refer to Figure 8). As a result, theplate member 681 can prevent a room occupant from inserting his or her hand into the gap between thesecond panel 72 and thefront grill 60 from a side of the gap. In addition, since theplate member 681 is located at the outer sides of thesecond gear portion 680, the first opening andclosing gear 630, the second opening andclosing gear 631, and the like, a room occupant is prevented from touching thesecond gear portion 680, the first opening andclosing gear 630, the second opening andclosing gear 631, and the like, with his or her hand. - As shown in Figure 3(a), a
front panel 7 covers generally the entire front of thefront grill 60. Thefront panel 7 covers theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 in the front view, and opens and closes theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27. Thefront panel 7 is a panel assembly, which is an aggregation of a plurality of seamless panels, and thefront panel 7 has thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72, and athird panel 73. - The
first panel 71 is movably disposed at the front lower portion of thefront grill 60 so as to open and close theoutlet 26, and thefirst panel 71 is disposed such that it covers theoutlet 26. Thefirst panel 71 is supported at the portions near both right and left ends thereof by the opening andclosing mechanism 61 such that it can move parallel to an up and down direction, and thefirst panel 71 opens and closes theoutlet 26. Thefirst panel 71 is a member in a rectangular, flat plate shape without a seam, and the width thereof is substantially equal to the width W of thefront grill 60 in the front view. The front side of thefirst panel 71 is formed in a generally flat shape with a smooth texture without a concave or convex portion, opening such as a hole, or the like. As shown in Figure 3(a) and Figure 8(a), thisfirst panel 71 becomes parallel to an up and down direction in a state in which theoutlet 26 is closed by thefirst panel 71. In addition, in this state, thefirst panel 71 has a projected area that is larger than theoutlet 26 in the front view. Consequently, in the state in which theoutlet 26 is closed by thefirst panel 71, thefirst panel 71 completely covers the entire front lower portion of thefront grill 60 including theoutlet 26. In addition, thefirst panel 71 is molded from a transparent resin mixed with luminous particles such as pearl particles, and thefirst panel 71 has a transparent resin layer mixed with such particles. Also, on the back of the transparent resin layer, there is provided a paint layer to which a color scheme, pattern, and the like are applied. This paint layer is formed by applying paint on the back of thefirst panel 71. In this way, thefirst panel 71 has a highly attractive design. By being disposed at the front where it is easily seen by a room occupant, thefirst panel 71 functions as a design panel which enhances the design of theindoor unit 2. - The
second panel 72 is formed as a separate body from thefirst panel 71. Thesecond panel 72 is movably disposed at a front upper portion of thefront grill 60 so as to open and close thefirst intake port 27, and thesecond panel 72 is disposed such that it covers thefirst intake port 27. Thesecond panel 72 is supported at the portions near both the right and left ends thereof by the opening andclosing mechanism 61 such that it can move in a front and back direction. Thesecond panel 72 opens thefirst intake port 27 by moving away from thefirst intake port 27 and closes thefirst intake port 27 by moving close to thefirst intake port 27. Thesecond panel 72 is a member in a rectangular, flat plate shape without a seam, and in the front view, the width thereof is substantially equal to the width W of thefront grill 60 including thefirst intake port 27. The front side of thesecond panel 72 is formed in a generally flat shape with a smooth texture without a concave or convex portion, opening such as a hole, or the like. As shown in Figure 3(a) and Figure 8(a), thissecond panel 72 will be parallel to an up and down direction in the state in which thefirst intake port 27 is closed by thesecond panel 72. In addition, thesecond panel 72 has a projected area that is larger than thefirst intake port 27 in the front view. Consequently, in the state in which thefirst intake port 27 is closed by thesecond panel 72, thesecond panel 72 completely covers the entire front upper portion of thefront grill 60 including thefirst intake port 27. In addition, as in the case with thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72 is molded from a transparent resin mixed with luminous particles such as pearl particles, and thefirst panel 71 has a transparent resin layer mixed with such particles. Also, on the back of the transparent resin layer, there is provided a paint layer to which a color scheme, pattern, and the like are applied. This paint layer is formed by applying paint on the back of thesecond panel 72. In this way, thesecond panel 72 has a highly attractive design. By being disposed at the front where it is easily seen by a room occupant, thesecond panel 72 functions as a design panel which enhances the design of theindoor unit 2. - The
third panel 73 is disposed between thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72. Thethird panel 73 has a seamless rectangular shape in the front view. Thethird panel 73 has a width W that is substantially equal to that of thefront grill 60, and has a length in an up and down direction that is substantially equal to that of thefirst panel 71. The front side of thethird panel 73 is formed in a generally flat shape with a smooth texture without a concave or convex portion, opening such as a hole, or the like. As shown in Figure 8(a), portions near left and right ends of thethird panel 73 are respectively fixed to left and right side surfaces of thefront grill 60, and thethird panel 73 is disposed such that a front surface portion thereof is spaced apart from the front of thefront grill 60 in a front and back direction. In other words, behind the front surface portion of thethird panel 73, there is formed a gap between there and thefront grill 60. This gap is formed slightly larger than the thickness of thefirst panel 71 disposed below, and the gap serves as a space for housing thefirst panel 71 that moves to open theoutlet 26. In addition, thethird panel 73 is molded from an opaque resin material. - In this way, in the state in which the
outlet 26 is closed by thefirst panel 71, thefirst panel 71 completely covers the front lower portion of thefront grill 60 including theoutlet 26, and in the state in which thefirst intake port 27 is closed by thesecond panel 72, thesecond panel 72 completely covers the front upper portion of thefront grill 60 including thefirst intake port 27. In addition, thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72, and thethird panel 73 are disposed such that they are aligned above and below one another. In the state in which theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 are closed, they are disposed so as to configure a generally flat, rectangular plane. In the state in which theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 are closed, thefront panel 7 configured by thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72, and thethird panel 73 cover the generally entire front of theindoor unit 2, and only the seams created at the borderlines of thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72, and thethird panel 73 appear. In other words, only the horizontally extending seams created at the borderline between thefirst panel 71 and thethird panel 73 and at the borderline between thesecond panel 72 and thethird panel 73 appear in the front view. Further, thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72, and thethird panel 73 are parallel to an up and down direction, and in the state in which theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 are closed by thefront panel 7, thefront panel 7 forms a flat surface that is parallel to an up and down direction. With thisindoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, since thefront panel 7 is formed to have such a flat shape, the aesthetic appearance is enhanced. - When the
indoor unit 2 is shut down, thefront panel 7 is in a state of closing theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 as described above. When theindoor unit 2 starts operating, first, theindoor fan 21 is started at a low rotation speed. Then, thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 move, and theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 are opened. As a result, a volume of air to be drawn into theindoor unit 2 is ensured, and also air is blown out in the horizontal direction. Below, a description is provided mainly focusing on the movements of thefront panel 7 based on Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c). Note that Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c) are the side views of theindoor unit 2. - In a state in which the
indoor unit 2 is shut down, thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 close theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27. As shown in Figure 8(a), thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72, and thethird panel 73 are disposed in a generally straight line parallel to an up and down direction in the side view. In ,addition, the front sides of thefirst panel 71, thesecond panel 72, and thethird panel 73 are formed to be generally flat. Note that in this state, the firstpanel supporting member 67 of the opening andclosing mechanism 61 is positioned at the lowest portion within the range of movement. In addition, the secondpanel supporting member 68 is positioned at the rearmost portion within the range of movement. - When the
indoor unit 2 starts operating, the panel opening and closingmotor 43 of the drivingmachine 41 is controlled and starts rotating. Then, the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 is transmitted to thepower transmission shaft 65, and the driving force is distributed and transmitted to the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64. Then, thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 are moved by the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64, and consequently theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 are opened. - At this time, with the first opening and
closing mechanism 63, the driving force is transmitted to the firstpanel supporting member 67 via the first opening andclosing gear 630 and the second opening andclosing gear 631. When the driving force is transmitted from the second opening andclosing gear 631 to thefirst gear portion 670 of the firstpanel supporting member 67, the rotary motion is converted into an upward linear motion, and consequently the firstpanel supporting member 67 moves linearly upward. Also with the second opening andclosing mechanism 64, the driving force of the same drivingmachine 41 is transmitted, and consequently a similar movement is performed. As a result, as shown in Figure 8(b), thefirst panel 71 moves upward parallel to an up and down direction so as to open theoutlet 26. When thefirst panel 71 moves upward in an up and down direction, an upper end of thefirst panel 71 will be inserted to the gap formed behind thethird panel 73. When thefirst panel 71 moves further upward, as shown in Figure 8(c), thefirst panel 71 will be housed in the gap between thethird panel 73 and thefront grill 60, and thefirst panel 71 will be hidden behind thethird panel 73. In other words, the generally entirefirst panel 71 will be overlapped by thethird panel 73. - In addition, linking such movements of the
first panel 71, thesecond panel 72 also moves. At this time, with the first opening andclosing mechanism 63, the above described rotation of the second opening andclosing gear 631 is transmitted simultaneously to thesecond gear portion 680 of the secondpanel supporting member 68. Then, when the driving force is transmitted from the second opening andclosing gear 631 to thesecond gear portion 680 of the secondpanel supporting member 68, the rotary motion is converted into the gentle circular arc motion, and consequently the secondpanel supporting member 68 moves forward along a gentle circular arc path. This circular arc path is a path along which the secondpanel supporting member 68 moves forward and also an upper end of the secondpanel supporting member 68 leans forward. Also with the second opening andclosing mechanism 64, the driving force of the same drivingmachine 41 is transmitted, and consequently a similar movement is performed. As a result, the secondpanel supporting member 68 protrudes forward from the front of thefront grill 60. Consequently, as shown in Figure 8(b), thesecond panel 72 moves forward, and also rotates about the axis that is parallel to a left to right direction in the front view. Thesecond panel 72 rotates about a portion near a lower end thereof such that its upper end leans forward. As shown in Figure 8(c), thesecond panel 72 moves further, and consequently a gap is formed between thefront grill 60 and thesecond panel 72. As a result, thefirst intake port 27 is opened. Then, air is drawn in from the gap between the upper end of thesecond panel 72 and thefront grill 60, and the air is drawn into theindoor unit 2 from thefirst intake port 27. Note that, at this time, both sides of the gap between thefront grill 60 and thesecond panel 72 are covered by the secondpanel supporting member 68, and the space above the gap between thefront grill 60 and thesecond panel 72 is open. Consequently, air is drawn in mainly from the top portion of the gap between thefront grill 60 and thesecond panel 72. - Once the
front panel 7 moves and theoutlet 26 and thefirst intake port 27 are opened, the horizontal flap 50 (refer to Figure 2) rotatably moves such that it is positioned at an outlet angle that corresponds to the set operation mode. - In addition, when the
indoor unit 2 is shut down, the panel opening and closingmotor 43 of the drivingmachine 41 is controlled so as to rotate in the reverse direction, and consequently the firstpanel supporting member 67 and the secondpanel supporting member 68 move in a direction opposite to the above described direction. As a result, thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 move in the direction opposite to the above described direction, and consequently thefront panel 7 returns to its flat form. - Next, a method for assembling the above described
indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 is described. - As shown in Figure 9, this method for assembling the
indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 mainly includes step S1 of assembling themain body part 4, step S5 of mounting theoutlet assembly 5, step S6 of mounting thefront grill assembly 6, step S7 of regularly fixing the drivingmachine 41, and step S8 of mounting thefront panel 7. - Step S1 of assembling the
main body part 4 further includes step S2 of mounting the heat exchanger and other components, step S3 of temporarily fixing the drivingmachine 41, and step S4 of connecting wires. - In step S2 of mounting the heat exchanger and other components, components such as the
indoor heat exchanger 20, theindoor fan 21, theindoor fan motor 22, and theelectrical component box 40 are mounted to themain body casing 42. - In step S3 of temporarily fixing the driving
machine 41, the drivingmachine 41 is temporarily fixed to theleft side portion 49 of themain body casing 42. Here, when thelocking clip 490 on theleft side portion 49 is inserted into thelocking hole 461 in the drivingmachine 41 and held therein, the drivingmachine 41 is consequently temporarily fixed to theleft side portion 49. The temporarily fixed drivingmachine 41 is disposed such that the fixedportion 462 of the drivingmachine 41 will generally coincide with the fixingportion 62 of thefront grill 60 in a state in which thefront grill 60 is mounted to themain body part 4. - In step S4 of connecting wires, the panel opening and closing
motor 43 of the drivingmachine 41 and the control board of theelectrical component box 40 are connected via acable 430. Note that thecable 430 is extended along the main body casing 42 from the drivingmachine 41 to theelectrical component box 40. - Next, in step S5 of mounting the
outlet assembly 5, theoutlet assembly 5 is mounted to themain body part 4. Theoutlet assembly 5 is mounted to themain body part 4 such that the space wherein theindoor fan 21 of themain body part 4 is housed communicates with theoutlet 26. - In step S6 of mounting the
front grill assembly 6, thefront grill assembly 6 is mounted to themain body part 4. Thefront grill assembly 6 covers themain body part 4 from the front of themain body part 4, and is fixed to themain body part 4 by screwing or fitting. - In step S7 of regularly fixing the driving
machine 41, the drivingmachine 41 is regularly fixed to thefront panel 7. Here, a screw is threaded into the screw hole in the fixingportion 62 of thefront panel 7 and the screw hole in the fixedportion 462 of the drivingmachine 41. Consequently, the drivingmachine 41 and thefront panel 7 are fixed to each other. At this time, the drivingmachine 41 is in a state of being temporarily fixed to themain body casing 42, and the screw hole in the fixingportion 62 of thefront panel 7 and the screw hole in the fixedportion 462 of the drivingmachine 41 are disposed adjacent each other. In addition, even if the screw hole in the fixingportion 62 of thefront panel 7 is not completely coinciding with the screw hole in the fixedportion 462 of the drivingmachine 41, screwing can be easily performed by slightly moving the drivingmachine 41 to coincide the screw hole in the fixingportion 62 with the screw hole in the fixedportion 462. - Then, in step S8 of mounting the
front panel 7, thefront panel 7 is mounted to thefront grill 60. Here, thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 are respectively fixed to tip portions of the firstpanel supporting member 67 and tip portions of the secondpanel supporting member 68 of the opening andclosing mechanism 61, with the tip portions protruding from theslits 600 to 603 at the front of thefront grill 60. In addition, thethird panel 73 is fixed to thefront grill 60. - Note that each of steps S 1 to S8 does not have to be performed in the above described order. If possible, the order can be altered.
-
- (1) With this
indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the opening andclosing mechanism 61 that opens and closes thefront panel 7 is provided at thefront grill 60. Consequently, the mounting accuracy between thefront grill 60 and thefirst panel 71 and between thefront grill 60 and thesecond panel 72 will improve, compared to the case where the opening andclosing mechanism 61 is provided at themain body part 4. Consequently, the gap or a joint between thefront grill 60 and thefirst panel 71 and between thefront grill 60 and thesecond panel 72 can be maintained uniformly, and the design can therefore be easily enhanced.
In addition, the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64 each are formed as a unit, and they are provided at thefront grill 60. Consequently, the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64 can be easily mounted to thefront grill 60, and the productivity will therefore improve.
Further, the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64 are respectively fixed to the inner surfaces of the left and right sides of thefront grill 60. Therefore, there is a low risk that they will interfere with the mounting of thefront grill 60 to themain body part 4. Consequently, thefront grill 60 can also be easily mounted to themain body part 4. - (2) With this
indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, even when thesecond panel 72 moves in the opening direction and thefirst intake port 27 is opened, theplate member 681 of the secondpanel supporting member 68 covers the sides of the gap between thesecond panel 72 and thefront grill 60. In addition, since the components such as the gear portion of the opening andclosing mechanism 61 are positioned inside the plate member, a room occupant is prevented from touching the components such as the gear portion with his or her hands. Thus, the safety will be improved.
In addition, since theplate member 681 covers the sides of the gap between thesecond panel 72 and thefront grill 60, it is possible to make movable components such as the opening and closing member and the gear difficult to be seen from outside. Therefore, the design during the moving of thesecond panel 72 will be enhanced.
Further, the secondpanel supporting member 68 is integrally molded, and theplate member 681 and thesecond gear portion 680 are integrated into a single unit. Consequently, the number of components is reduced, and the space that has been occupied by peripheral components can be eliminated. In addition, since thesecond gear portion 680 and theplate member 681 are integrated, the strength of thesecond gear portion 680 itself will improve.
As discussed above, with thisindoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the secondpanel supporting member 68 for supporting and moving thesecond panel 72 is also used as a member for preventing a person from inserting his or her hand into theunit 2 and for concealing the inside of theindoor unit 2. Thus, the secondpanel supporting member 68 is utilized effectively as a multifunctional component. - (3) With this
indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, since the drivingmachine 41 is arranged to be temporarily fixed to themain body part 4, the wiring procedure will be easy when mounting thefront panel 7 to themain body part 4, compared to the case where the drivingmachine 41 is fixed to thefront panel 7. In other words, when mounting thefront panel 7 to themain body part 4, if the drivingmachine 41 was fixed to thefront panel 7, the wiring would extend from thefront panel 7 side to themain body part 4 side. This would make the wiring procedure difficult. However, by temporarily fixing the drivingmachine 41 to themain body part 4, the wiring is prevented from being extended from thefront panel 7 side to themain body part 4 side when thefront panel 7 is mounted to themain body part 4.
In addition, since the drivingmachine 41 transmits the driving force to the opening andclosing mechanism 61, the drivingmachine 41 and the opening andclosing mechanism 61 need to be aligned with each other. With thisindoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the drivingmachine 41 is fixed to thefront grill 60 after thefront grill 60 is mounted to themain body part 4. In other words, since the drivingmachine 41 is ultimately fixed to thefront grill 60, it results in an improved the mounting accuracy between the opening andclosing mechanism 61 and the drivingmachine 41 to be provided at thefront grill 60. - (4) With this
indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the driving force of the drivingmachine 41 is distributed and transmitted to the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64, and the portions near both the right and left ends of thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 move in a linked manner. Accordingly, the movements of thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 in a left to right direction are performed in precise synchronization. As a result, thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 are prevented from being deformed, and they can move smoothly. - In addition, since the driving force of the driving
machine 41 is distributed and transmitted to the firstpanel supporting member 67 and the secondpanel supporting member 68, thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 move in a linked manner. Consequently, the opening and closing movements of thefirst intake port 27 and theoutlet 26 can be easily performed in synchronization. - Further, a total of four movements including the movements near both the right and left ends of the
first panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 and the movements of thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 are performed by the driving force of the single panel opening and closingmotor 43. Consequently, the synchronization of these four movements can be performed precisely, and the opening and closing movements can be performed in a timely manner. -
- (1) In the above described embodiment, the opening and
closing mechanism 61 has a function for converting the rotary motion transmitted from the drivingmachine 41 to a linear motion or a circular arc motion; however, the types of conversions of motions performed by the opening andclosing mechanism 61 are not limited to those above. For example, the opening andclosing mechanism 61 may be a mechanism, to which a linear motion is transmitted from the drivingmachine 41, and which converts the linear motion to the opening and closing movements of thefirst panel 71 and thesecond panel 72. - (2) In the above described embodiment, the first opening and
closing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64 are provided respectively at the inner surfaces of the left and the right sides of thefront grill 60; however, the positions of the first opening andclosing mechanism 63 and the second opening andclosing mechanism 64 are not limited to those above. A different arrangement may be possible depending on the shape of thefront grill 60 or the position of thefront panel 7. - (3) In the above described embodiment, the second
panel supporting member 68 is integrally molded; however, the separate bodies of theplate member 681 and the gear portion may be used. However, it is more preferable that they are integrally molded in view of the reduction of the number of components. - (4) In the above described embodiment, the temporary fixation is performed with the
locking clip 490 on themain body part 4 and thelocking hole 461 in the drivingmachine 41; however, thelocking clip 490 may be provided on the drivingmachine 41 and thelocking hole 461 may be provided in themain body part 4. In addition, components for the temporary fixation are not limited to thelocking clip 490 and thelocking hole 461; a different component may be used, with which the drivingmachine 41 can be temporarily fixed to themain body part 4. - (5) The structure of the temporary fixation in the above embodiment is effective not only for the opening and closing of the
first panel 71 and thesecond panel 72 but also for when it is necessary to transmit the driving force from themain body part 4 to thefront grill 60 that is provided with some type of movable components. - (6) In the above described embodiment, the
power transmission shaft 65 of the opening andclosing mechanism 61 distributes the driving force of the drivingmachine 41; however, it is not limited to such a shaft member, and a different member may be used to distribute the driving force. - (7) In the above described embodiment, the gear portion transmits the driving force of the driving
machine 41; however, other elements including a cam may be used as a driving force transmission portion. - The present invention is effective in improving the safety regarding the opening and closing movements of the movable panel, and the present invention is useful as an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
Claims (6)
- An indoor unit (2) of an air conditioner (1), comprising:a casing (60) provided with an opening (27) at the front thereof;a movable panel (72) provided so as to cover the opening (27) and configured to open the opening (27) by moving away from the opening (27) and to close the opening (27) by moving close to the opening (27);a drive portion (41) configured to generate a driving force to move the movable panel (72); andan opening and closing member (68) including: a driving force transmission portion (680) for transmitting the driving force of the drive portion (41) to the movable panel (72); and a plate member (681) provided outside the driving force transmission portion (680) and configured to cover a gap between the movable panel (72) and the casing (60) in a state in which the movable panel (72) is open.
- The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the opening and closing member (68) supports the movable panel (72) and moves the movable panel (72) away from the opening (27) by protruding forward from the casing (60). - The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the plate member (681) also serves as a supporting member that supports the movable panel (72) and moves the movable panel (72) away from the opening (27) by protruding forward from the casing (60). - The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the driving force transmission portion (680) and the plate member (681) are integrally provided. - The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the driving force transmission portion (680) and the plate member (681) are integrally molded. - The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the opening and closing member (68) is provided adjacent to each inner surface of both sides of the casing (60).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003340515 | 2003-09-30 | ||
PCT/JP2004/013155 WO2005033588A1 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2004-09-09 | Indoor unit of air conditioner |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1684021A1 true EP1684021A1 (en) | 2006-07-26 |
EP1684021A4 EP1684021A4 (en) | 2008-11-26 |
EP1684021B1 EP1684021B1 (en) | 2016-11-23 |
Family
ID=34419185
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04787818.6A Active EP1684021B1 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2004-09-09 | Indoor unit of air conditioner |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1684021B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100709877B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN100427837C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004278589B2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2615355T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005033588A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102012084A (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2011-04-13 | 广东美的电器股份有限公司 | Ejector air-out structure of floor air conditioner indoor machine |
CN106482221A (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2017-03-08 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Closed shell of air conditioner indoor unit, air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN103807991B (en) * | 2014-02-11 | 2016-10-19 | 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 | Air-conditioner and switch gate driving means thereof |
CN106016476B (en) * | 2016-07-18 | 2021-08-24 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Wall hanging machine and panel movement mechanism thereof |
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JPH09210402A (en) * | 1996-02-07 | 1997-08-12 | Hitachi Ltd | Wall-mounted type air conditioner |
JPH10141698A (en) * | 1996-11-05 | 1998-05-29 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Floor type air conditioner |
JP2000088278A (en) * | 1998-09-18 | 2000-03-31 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Floor type air conditioner |
EP1271065A2 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2003-01-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Air conditioner |
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JPH0397113U (en) * | 1990-01-19 | 1991-10-04 | ||
JP3153676B2 (en) | 1993-06-24 | 2001-04-09 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Sample mixing device and fluorescence detection device using the same |
JPH0798129A (en) * | 1993-09-30 | 1995-04-11 | Matsushita Seiko Co Ltd | Separated air-conditioner |
CN2491759Y (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2002-05-15 | 魏强 | Indoor machine of air conditioner with its panel integrally opened and top air intaken |
KR20030083191A (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2003-10-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Front panel open and close structure of air conditioner |
KR100457563B1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2004-11-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air Conditioner |
KR100437049B1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2004-06-23 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | inlet panel opening and closing structure of air conditioner |
KR100471436B1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2005-03-08 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Safe Front Panel Structure of Air Conditioner |
JP3097113U (en) * | 2003-04-11 | 2004-01-15 | 株式会社白寿生科学研究所 | Chair type electric potential therapy device |
-
2004
- 2004-09-09 AU AU2004278589A patent/AU2004278589B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2004-09-09 EP EP04787818.6A patent/EP1684021B1/en active Active
- 2004-09-09 WO PCT/JP2004/013155 patent/WO2005033588A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2004-09-09 KR KR1020067003775A patent/KR100709877B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2004-09-09 ES ES04787818.6T patent/ES2615355T3/en active Active
- 2004-09-09 CN CNB2004800281584A patent/CN100427837C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPH09210402A (en) * | 1996-02-07 | 1997-08-12 | Hitachi Ltd | Wall-mounted type air conditioner |
JPH10141698A (en) * | 1996-11-05 | 1998-05-29 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Floor type air conditioner |
JP2000088278A (en) * | 1998-09-18 | 2000-03-31 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Floor type air conditioner |
EP1271065A2 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2003-01-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Air conditioner |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See also references of WO2005033588A1 * |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102012084A (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2011-04-13 | 广东美的电器股份有限公司 | Ejector air-out structure of floor air conditioner indoor machine |
CN102012084B (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2012-09-12 | 广东美的电器股份有限公司 | Ejector air-out structure of floor air conditioner indoor machine |
CN106482221A (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2017-03-08 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Closed shell of air conditioner indoor unit, air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner |
CN106482221B (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2022-12-20 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Closed shell of air conditioner indoor unit, air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2005033588A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 |
AU2004278589A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 |
ES2615355T3 (en) | 2017-06-06 |
CN100427837C (en) | 2008-10-22 |
KR20060061846A (en) | 2006-06-08 |
AU2004278589B2 (en) | 2007-10-11 |
EP1684021B1 (en) | 2016-11-23 |
EP1684021A4 (en) | 2008-11-26 |
CN1860336A (en) | 2006-11-08 |
KR100709877B1 (en) | 2007-04-20 |
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