U.S. patent application number 12/854940 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for fixing structure for indoor/outdoor communication line of air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Tatsuya ASANUMA, Keiichi Tomita.
Application Number | 20110126567 12/854940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43608157 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110126567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ASANUMA; Tatsuya ; et
al. |
June 2, 2011 |
FIXING STRUCTURE FOR INDOOR/OUTDOOR COMMUNICATION LINE OF AIR
CONDITIONER
Abstract
In a multi-unit type air conditioner in which a plurality of
indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit 1 through a
plurality of indoor/outdoor communication lines 7, the plurality of
communication lines 7 are fixed to a main body of the outdoor unit
1 by a communication-line fixture 10 collectively.
Inventors: |
ASANUMA; Tatsuya; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Tomita; Keiichi; (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
CORPORATION
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
43608157 |
Appl. No.: |
12/854940 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/259.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/22 20130101; F24F
1/0003 20130101; F24F 2013/207 20130101; F24F 11/54 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/259.1 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/00 20060101
F25D023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 2, 2009 |
JP |
2009-274244 |
Claims
1. A fixing structure for an indoor/outdoor communication line of a
multi-unit type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor
units are connected to one outdoor unit through a plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines, wherein said plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines are fixed to a main body of said
outdoor unit collectively by a communication-line fixture.
2. The fixing structure for the indoor/outdoor communication line
of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein said communication-line
fixture includes: a fixing base that has recess-shaped first and
second holding portions and is fixed onto the main body of said
outdoor unit, in which the indoor/outdoor communication lines are
placed on said holding portions; a receiver that has first and
second receiving portions and sandwiching portions on both side
edges and is disposed on said fixing base and locked onto the
fixing base by engagement pieces disposed at both end portions, in
which the indoor/outdoor communication lines are placed on said
receiving portions; a presser that has projection-shaped first and
second pressing portions and is disposed on said receiver by being
sandwiched by the sandwiching portions; and fixing member that
fixes the presser and said receiver onto said fixing base.
3. The fixing structure for the indoor/outdoor communication line
of the air conditioner of claim 1, wherein said communication-line
fixture includes: a fixing base that has a main body portion having
a substantially C-shaped section and is fixed onto the main body of
said outdoor unit, in which the indoor/outdoor communication lines
are placed on first and second receiving portions on top face
thereof; a first presser whose width is smaller than that of the
fixing base and whose length is approximately half that of the
fixing base, having a projection-shaped pressing portion, and is
disposed on the receiving portion of said fixing base and fixed
onto the fixing base; a receiver whose width is larger than the
presser, being formed into a substantially C-shaped section, and
being fixed onto said fixing base while covering said presser, in
which the indoor/outdoor communication lines are placed on first
and second receiving portions on top face thereof; and a second
presser that has the same structure as that of said first presser
and that is disposed on the receiving portion of the receiver and
fixed onto the receiver.
4. The air conditioner comprising the fixing structure of claim
1.
5. The air conditioner comprising the fixing structure of claim
2.
6. The air conditioner comprising the fixing structure of claim 3.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing structure for an
indoor/outdoor communication line connecting an outdoor unit and
indoor units to each other in a multi-unit type air conditioner in
which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor
unit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
a sectional panel of an outdoor unit of a prior-art air conditioner
is removed, FIG. 11 is a front view around an electric-component
mounting base in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a side view of an
essential part of FIG. 11.
[0003] On one side of an outdoor unit 70, a compressor 72 and a
pipeline 73 are installed at a lower part, while an
electric-component mounting base 74 is disposed at an upper part,
and a machine chamber 71 is provided in which a plurality of
terminal blocks 75a to 75n corresponding to each of the indoor
units and electric components and the like are disposed.
[0004] To each of the terminal blocks 75a to 75n, each of a
plurality of indoor/outdoor communication lines 76a to 76n having
one ends connected to the indoor units (not shown), respectively,
is connected, and the indoor/outdoor communication lines 76a to 76n
are bundled to one or more bundles and fixed to the
electric-component mounting base 34 by band-shaped pressing
fixtures 77a, 77b, and 77c. Reference numeral 78 denotes a heat
exchanger installed from the other side face to the rear face of
the machine chamber 71 and reference numeral 79 denotes a front
panel having an outlet grill (not shown) and covering a front face
and the other side face, and between the heat exchanger 78 and the
front panel 79, an air-blowing chamber 81 in which a blower and the
like are installed is disposed having a partition plate 80 between
that and the machine chamber 71.
[0005] Also, such a cable holding structure is disclosed that
includes a receiving fixture formed in a stepped shape and having a
long hole through which a cable is inserted in a predetermined
direction and a pressing fixture having a plurality of U-shaped
bent portions mounted to the face of the receiving fixture,
respectively, in which the cable inserted through the long hole is
sandwiched between the receiving fixture and the U-shaped bent
portions of the pressing fixture so as to be fixed (See Patent
Literature 1, for example).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0006] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No.
1-87586 (pages 3 to 4, FIG. 1)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0007] In the prior-art fixing structure for indoor/outdoor
communication lines shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, since the
indoor/outdoor communication lines 76a to 76n are fixed by the
band-shaped pressing fixtures 77a to 77c, each of the pressing
fixtures 77a to 77c needs an installation space for one or two of
the indoor/outdoor communication lines 76a to 76n connected to each
of the terminal blocks 75a to 75n, therefore, it was difficult to
install the plurality of indoor/outdoor communication lines 76a to
76n in a small space.
[0008] Also, with the cable holding structure in Patent Literature
1, since the plurality of cables need to be inserted through the
long hole of the receiving fixture formed in the stepped shape,
installation is cumbersome and requires many processes, which is a
problem.
[0009] The present invention was made in order to solve the above
problems and an object thereof is to provide a fixing structure for
an indoor/outdoor communication line of an air conditioner which
can efficiently fix a plurality of indoor/outdoor communication
lines connected to terminal blocks even in a small space and is
inexpensive and excellent in assembling performance and
serviceability.
Solution to Problem
[0010] A fixing structure for an indoor/outdoor communication line
of an air conditioner according to the present invention fixes, in
a multi-unit type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor
units are connected to one outdoor unit through a plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines, the plurality of indoor/outdoor
communication lines are fixed in a bundle to a main body of the
outdoor unit by a communication-line fixture.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0011] According to the present invention, since the plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines can be fixed to the main body of
the outdoor unit efficiently in a bundle by the communication-line
fixture, a fixing structure for an indoor/outdoor communication
line which is inexpensive and excellent in assembling performance
and serviceability even in a small space can be obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a fixing
structure for an indoor/outdoor communication line of an air
conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0013] [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a partially omitted perspective view of
an outdoor unit of the air conditioner.
[0014] [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of an electric-component
mounting portion in FIG. 2.
[0015] [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a state in which
a plurality of indoor/outdoor communication lines are fixed by a
communication-line fixture in FIG. 3.
[0016] [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the
communication-line fixture in FIG. 4.
[0017] [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a fixing
structure for an indoor/outdoor communication line of an air
conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0018] [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a state in which
a plurality of indoor/outdoor communication lines are fixed by a
communication-line fixture in FIG. 6.
[0019] [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the
communication-line fixture in FIG. 7.
[0020] [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for
fixing the plurality of indoor/outdoor communication lines by the
communication-line fixture in FIG. 8.
[0021] [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state
in which a side panel of an outdoor unit of a prior-art air
conditioner is removed.
[0022] [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a front view around an
electric-component mounting base in FIG. 10.
[0023] [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of an essential part of
FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0024] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a fixing structure for
an indoor/outdoor communication line of an air conditioner
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a
partially omitted perspective view of an outdoor unit of the air
conditioner, and FIG. 3 is a front view of an electric-component
mounting portion in FIG. 2.
[0025] At a lower part of a machine chamber 2 disposed on one side
of an outdoor unit 1, a compressor (not shown), a pipeline 3 and
the like are disposed, and an electric-component mounting portion 4
is disposed at an upper part. Reference numeral 8 denotes a heat
exchanger disposed from the rear face to the other side face, and
reference numeral 9 denotes a partition plate partitioning the
machine chamber 2 from an adjacent air-blowing chamber.
[0026] At the upper part of the electric-component mounting portion
4, an electric component 5 and the like are disposed, and a
plurality of terminal blocks 6a to 6f (hereinafter referred to
simply as 6 in some cases) are installed below that. To the
terminal blocks 6a to 6f, the other end of each of a plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines 7a to 7f (hereinafter referred
to simply as a communication line or might be indicated by
reference numeral 7 in a bundle) having one end connected to each
of indoor units (not shown) is connected, and the plurality of
communication lines 7a to 7f are fixed to a main body (the
partition plate 9 in this case) of the outdoor unit 1 in a bundle
by a communication-line fixture 10.
[0027] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in
which the plurality of communication lines 7 are fixed in a bundle
by the communication-line fixture 10, and FIG. 5 is an exploded
perspective view of the communication-line fixture 10 in FIG.
4.
[0028] The communication-line fixture 10 includes, as shown in FIG.
5, a fixing base 11, a receiver 20, and a presser 30. They will be
described below in detail.
[0029] The fixing base 11 has recess-shaped first and second
holding portions 12a and 12b that hold the communication line 7 and
screw insertion holes 14 and is constituted by fixing portions 13a
to 13c disposed between the both holding portions 12a and 12b and
at positions higher than the holding portions 12a and 12b on both
sides and having the screw insertion holes 14, mounting pieces 15a
and 15b extended downward from outer walls of the fixing portions
13b and 13c on both sides and then, folded outward and having screw
insertion holes 16, and supporting pieces 17a and 17b extended
downward from both sides of the holding portions 12a and 12b and
then, folded outward.
[0030] The receiver 20 is formed having the length substantially
equal to the length between the outer walls of the both fixing
portions 13b and 13c of the fixing base 11 and the width
substantially equal to the width of the fixing base 11 and has a
main body portion 21 in which both end portions in the longitudinal
direction are folded downward and engagement pieces 23a and 23b are
disposed. At positions corresponding to the fixing portions 13a to
13c of the fixing base 11 on both-side edges of the main body
portion 21, sandwiching portions 24a to 24c folded upward are
disposed, respectively, and first and second receiving portions 25a
and 25b for the communication lines 7 are disposed between the
sandwiching portions 24a and 24b and between the sandwiching
portions 24a and 24c. Between each of the opposing sandwiching
portions 24a to 24c of the main body portion 21, screw insertions
hole 22 (the screw insertion holes 22 on the both sides are long
holes) are disposed corresponding to the screw insertion holes 14
disposed in the fixing portions 13a to 13c of the fixing base
11.
[0031] The presser 30 is formed having the length substantially
equal to the length of a receiving plate 21 of the receiver 20 and
the width substantially equal to an interval between inner walls of
the opposing sandwiching portions 24a to 24c of the receiver 20.
Projection-shaped first and second pressing portions 31a and 31b
are disposed corresponding to the receiving portions 25a and 25b of
the receiver 20, and between the pressing portions 31a and 31b and
in the both end portions, mounting portions 32a to 32b which are
folded downward from the pressing portions 31a and 31b and form
flat portions are disposed corresponding to the sandwiching
portions 24a to 24c of the receiver 20, and a screw insertion hole
33 is disposed in the flat portion of each of the mounting portions
32a to 32b corresponding to the screw insertion holes 22 of the
receiver 20.
[0032] Subsequently, an example of a fixing procedure of the
indoor/outdoor communication line 7 by means of the
communication-line fixture 10 configured as above will be described
while referring to FIGS. 3 to 5.
[0033] First, at a predetermined position of the main body (the
partition plate 9, in this case) of the outdoor unit 1, the fixing
pieces 15a and 15b and the supporting pieces 17a and 17b of the
fixing base 11 are brought into contact, and the screws inserted
through the screw insertion holes 16 of the mounting pieces 15a and
15b are screwed into the partition plate 9 so that the fixing base
11 is fixed onto the partition plate 9 (the main body of the indoor
unit 1).
[0034] Subsequently, the plurality of indoor/outdoor communication
lines 7 connected to the terminal blocks 6 (FIG. 4 shows the case
of the communication lines 7e, 7f, and 7n) are placed on the
holding portions 12a and 12b of the fixing base 11, the receiver 20
is placed on top of it, and the engagement pieces 23a and 23b are
fitted with the both side walls of the fixing portions 13a and 13b
of the fixing base 11. As a result, the communication lines 7 are
sandwiched between the holding portions 12a and 12b of the fixing
base 11 and the receiving portions 25a and 25b of the receiver
20.
[0035] Subsequently, the plurality of communication lines 7 (the
case of the communication lines 7b, 7c, 7a, and 7d is shown in FIG.
4) are placed on the receiving portions 25a and 25b of the receiver
20. Then, the presser 30 is fitted between the sandwiching portions
24a to 24c from above the receiver 20 so that the communication
lines 7 are sandwiched between the receiving portions 25a and 25b
of the receiver 20 and the pressing portions 31a and 31b of the
presser 30.
[0036] Finally, screws 35, which are fixing member, are inserted
through the screw insertion holes 33, 22, and 14 disposed in the
presser 30, the receiver 20, and the fixing base 11, screwed into
nuts 36 disposed on the rear faces of the fixing portions 13a to
13c of the fixing base 11 and integrally fixed. The case in which
the screw 35 is screwed into the nut 36 disposed on the rear face
of the fixing base 11 is shown, but the nut may be omitted and the
screw insertion hole 14 of the fixing base 11 is used as a screw
hole, through which the screw 35 may be screwed into.
[0037] As a result, the plurality of indoor/outdoor communication
lines 7 are bundled by the communication-line fixture 10 and fixed
to the main body of the outdoor unit 1.
[0038] Also, if each of the communication lines 7 is to be removed
for maintenance or the like, the communication line can be easily
taken out by loosening the screw 35 of the communication-line
fixture 10 and by removing the presser 30 or the presser 30 and the
receiver 20.
[0039] According to the present embodiment, since the plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines 7 having one ends connected to
the indoor units and the other ends to the terminal blocks 6 of the
outdoor unit are stacked in double by the communication-line
fixture 10 and fixed to the main body of the outdoor unit 1
collectively, the large number of communication lines 7 can be
easily fixed even in a small space, and assembling performances and
serviceability can be improved.
Embodiment 2
[0040] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a fixing structure for
an indoor/outdoor communication line of an air conditioner
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 7 is an
explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines are fixed in a bundle by a
communication-line fixture in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an exploded
perspective view of the communication-line fixture in FIG. 7. The
same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in
Embodiment 1.
[0041] The communication-line fixture 10 according to this
embodiment is formed by a fixing base 40, a plurality of pressers
50, and a receiver 60.
[0042] The fixing base 40 has a main body portion 41 having a
substantially U-shaped section, in which free ends of both-side
plates are folded outward and provided with mounting pieces 43a and
43b having screw insertion holes 44a and 44b, and receiving
portions 42a and 42b for the first and second communication lines 7
are disposed on the top face. In the center part in the width
direction on the top face, screw insertion holes 45a and 45b are
disposed vertically, and the two screw insertion holes 45a and 45b
are arranged side by side between the receiving portions 42a and
42b. In the vicinity of the four corners on the top face,
respective screw insertion holes 46 are disposed.
[0043] Each of the pressers 50 is formed having a length
substantially half of that of the length of the fixing base 40 and
the width smaller than the width of the main body portion 41. A
projection-shaped pressing portion 51 is disposed corresponding to
the one receiving portions 42a (or 42b) of the fixing base 40, and
the both end portions of the pressing portion 51 are folded
downward and then folded outward, and mounting pieced 52a and 52b
in which screw insertion holes 53 are disposed are provided. The
pressers 50 in the same structure are used in plural (the case of
four pressers is shown in the figure).
[0044] The receiver 60 has a main body portion 61 having a
substantially U-shaped section formed having the length
substantially equal to the length of the fixing base 40 and the
width formed slightly larger than the width of the presser 50,
fixing pieces 63a to 63c extended downward from both end portions
and the center part in the longitudinal direction of the both side
walls of the main body portion 61 and then, folded outward are
disposed, and screw insertion holes 64 corresponding to the screw
insertion holes 46 of the fixing base 40 are disposed in the fixing
pieces 63a and 63b on the both end portions.
[0045] Receiving portions 62a and 62b for the first and second
communication lines 7 are disposed on the top face, and screw
insertion holes 65a and 65b are disposed at positions corresponding
to the screw insertion holes 45a and 45b of the fixing base 40 at
the center part in the width direction of the top face.
[0046] Subsequently, a procedure to fix the plurality of
indoor/outdoor communication lines 7 by the communication-line
fixture 10 configured as above in a bundle will be described
referring to FIGS. 7 and 9.
[0047] First, the mounting pieces 43a and 43b of the fixing base 10
are brought into contact with the predetermined positions on the
main body (the partition plate 9 in this case) of the outdoor unit
1, the screw inserted through the screw insertion holes 44a and 44b
are screwed into the partition plate 9, and the fixing base 10 is
fixed.
[0048] Then, one or two communication lines 7 are placed on the one
receiving portion 42a (or 42b) of the fixing base 40, the top
thereof is covered by the presser 50a, the mounting pieces 52a and
52b are brought into contact with the top face of the fixing base
40, and the screw inserted through the screw insertion holes 53 of
the mounting pieces 52a and 52b are inserted through the screw
insertion holes 45a, screwed into nuts disposed on the rear face
and fixed. As a result, the communication lines 7 are sandwiched
between the fixing base 40 and the presser 50a and fixed.
[0049] Similarly, the communication lines 7 are placed on the other
receiving portion 42b of the fixing base 40, sandwiched between the
presser 50b and the fixing base 40 and fixed (the pressers 50a and
50b might be described as first pressers).
[0050] Subsequently, the receiver 60 is fitted with the both
pressers 50a and 50b from above, and the fixing pieces 63a to 63c
are brought into contact with the top face of the fixing base 40.
Then, the screws inserted through the screw holes 64 disposed in
the fixing pieces 63a and 63b are inserted through the screw
insertion holes 46 of the fixing base 40 and screwed into the nuts
disposed on the rear face and fixed.
[0051] Subsequently, the communication lines 7 are placed on the
one receiving portion 62a (or 62b) on the top face of the receiver
60 and sandwiched and fixed by the presser 50c in the same way as
the above. Also, in the same way, the communication lines 7 placed
on the other receiving portion 62b are sandwiched by the presser
50d and fixed (the pressers 50c and 50d may be described as second
pressers). As a result, the plurality of communication lines 7 are
fixed by the communication-line fixture 10 collectively. In the
above description, the case in which the screws are inserted
through the screw insertion holes 45a, 45b, and 46 disposed in the
fixing base 40 and the screw insertion holes 65a and 65b disposed
in the receiver 60 by disposing the nuts on the rear face side is
shown, but the nuts may be omitted and screw holes are disposed
instead of the screw insertion holes 45a, 45b, 46, 65a, and 65b so
that the screws are inserted into the screw holes.
[0052] In this embodiment, too, substantially the same effects as
those in Embodiment 1 can be obtained, but moreover, since the
plurality of small-sized pressers 50 are disposed so as to fix the
communication lines 7, the pressers 50 can be used as appropriate
in accordance with the number of the communication lines 7 to be
fixed, and in maintenance or the like, it is only necessary to
remove only the pressers 50 or the pressers 50 and the receiver 60
of the targeted communication lines 7, and the operation is
easy.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0053] 1: outdoor unit [0054] 6: terminal block [0055] 7:
communication line [0056] 10: communication-line fixture [0057] 11:
fixing base [0058] 12a, 12b: first and second holding portions
[0059] 20: receiver [0060] 23a, 23b: engagement piece [0061] 24a,
24b: sandwiching portion [0062] 25a, 25b: first and second
receiving portions [0063] 30: presser [0064] 31a, 31b: first and
second pressing portions [0065] 40: fixing base [0066] 42a, 42b:
first and second receiving portions [0067] 50: presser [0068] 51:
pressing portion [0069] 60: receiver [0070] 62a, 62b: first and
second receiving portions
* * * * *