U.S. patent application number 14/608690 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-03 for outdoor unit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoshinori TANIKAWA.
Application Number | 20150247649 14/608690 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52472200 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150247649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TANIKAWA; Yoshinori |
September 3, 2015 |
OUTDOOR UNIT
Abstract
Provided is an outdoor unit, including: a main body including a
front panel; a top panel covering a top surface of the main body;
and an air outlet grille mounted to the front panel. The top panel
includes a bending piece portion formed along a periphery of the
top panel. The air outlet grille includes a fixing piece portion
formed along an edge of the air outlet grille. The air outlet
grille is mounted so that the fixing piece portion of the air
outlet grille is sandwiched between the front panel and the bending
piece portion.
Inventors: |
TANIKAWA; Yoshinori; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52472200 |
Appl. No.: |
14/608690 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/298 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/46 20130101; F24F
2013/221 20130101; F24F 13/224 20130101; F24F 1/56 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/22 20060101
F24F013/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 3, 2014 |
JP |
2014-040650 |
Claims
1. An outdoor unit, comprising: a main body comprising a front
panel on a front surface side thereof; a top panel covering a top
surface of the main body; and an air outlet grille mounted to the
front panel, the top panel comprising a bending piece portion
formed along a periphery of the top panel, the air outlet grille
comprising a fixing piece portion formed along an edge of the air
outlet grille, the air outlet grille being mounted so that the
fixing piece portion of the air outlet grille is sandwiched between
the front panel and the bending piece portion.
2. The outdoor unit of claim 1, wherein the air outlet grille
further comprises an inclined tongue portion formed so as to extend
from a lower end of the fixing piece portion.
3. The outdoor unit of claim 2, wherein an upper surface of the
inclined tongue portion comprises a downward inclination extending
toward the front surface side of the main body.
4. The outdoor unit of claim 2, wherein an upper surface of the
inclined tongue portion comprises a downward inclination extending
in one of rightward and leftward directions when viewed from the
front surface side of the main body.
5. The outdoor unit of claim 2, wherein an upper surface of the
inclined tongue portion comprises a downward inclination extending
toward both right and left ends of the inclined tongue portion when
viewed from the front surface side of the main body.
6. The outdoor unit of claim 2, wherein the inclined tongue portion
comprises a protruding piece portion arranged on the front surface
side of the main body so as to extend from the inclined tongue
portion upright substantially in a vertical direction.
7. The outdoor unit of claim 1, further comprising a vertical
stepped portion formed along an upper edge of the front panel so as
to be stepped with respect to a plane in which the front panel is
formed, wherein the air outlet grille is mounted so that the fixing
piece portion is sandwiched between the vertical stepped portion
and the bending piece portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an
air-conditioning apparatus, and more particularly, to an outdoor
unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, which is capable of
preventing water droplets from being frozen between a fan and a
bellmouth.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, during
heating operation, when water droplets generated from rain, snow,
and the like intrude into a casing and a temperature of the outside
air is low, the water droplets are frozen between a fan and a
bellmouth. This may hinder normal rotation of the fan, or may cause
noise.
[0003] Consequently, in the related-art outdoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus, a protruding part is formed around an
air outlet opening of a front panel, and a waterproofing part
(slanted part) that abuts on the protruding part is formed on an
air outlet grille. When the air outlet grille is mounted to the
front panel of the casing, the protruding part and the
waterproofing part are brought into intimate contact with each
other. Thus, water droplets generated from rainwater and the like
are prevented from intruding into the bellmouth and the like
provided at the inside of the air outlet grille (see, for example,
Patent Literature 1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. Hei 08-178365 (see FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] However, in the related-art outdoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus, the protruding part formed around the
air outlet opening of the front panel and the waterproofing part
(slanted part) formed on the air outlet grille are brought into
intimate contact with each other so as to prevent the water
droplets from intruding into the casing. Consequently, when the
front panel and the air outlet grille are warped or deformed during
a constituting process, a gap is formed between the protruding part
and the waterproofing part, and hence there is a problem in that
intrusion of the water droplets may not be prevented from
occurring. Further, also when the front panel and the air outlet
grille are deformed due to aged deterioration after installation of
the outdoor unit , waterproofing performance cannot similarly be
secured.
[0006] The present invention has been made in order to solve the
above-mentioned problem, and an object thereof is to prevent, with
a simple configuration of a casing of an outdoor unit, reduction in
blowing performance, occurrence of noise, and the like, which may
be caused by frozen water droplets intruding from an outside of the
casing into the casing, particularly into a periphery of a
bellmouth and the like provided in a vicinity of an air outlet
grille.
Solution to Problem
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided an outdoor unit, including: a main body including a
front panel; a top panel covering a top surface of the main body;
and an air outlet grille mounted to the front panel. The top panel
includes a bending piece portion formed along a periphery of the
top panel. The air outlet grille includes a fixing piece portion
formed along an edge of the air outlet grille. The air outlet
grille is mounted so that the fixing piece portion of the air
outlet grille is sandwiched between the front panel and the bending
piece portion.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0008] According to the outdoor unit of the one embodiment of the
present invention, the air outlet grille is mounted so that the
fixing piece portion of the air outlet grille is sandwiched between
the front panel and the bending piece portion of the top panel.
Consequently, it is possible to prevent, with a simple
configuration of the casing of the outdoor unit, reduction in
blowing performance, occurrence of noise, and the like, which may
be caused by frozen water droplets intruding from the outside of
the casing into the casing, particularly into the periphery of the
bellmouth and the like provided in the vicinity of the air outlet
grille.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0010] [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating
the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0011] [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
periphery of a front panel of the outdoor unit according to
Embodiment 1.
[0012] [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view illustrating
an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2.
[0013] [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
periphery of a front panel of the outdoor unit according to
Embodiment 2.
[0014] [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a
periphery of a front panel of an outdoor unit according to
Embodiment 3.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Now, an outdoor unit according to the present invention is
described with reference to the drawings.
[0016] Note that, a configuration described below is merely an
example, and the outdoor unit according to the present invention is
not limited to the following configuration.
[0017] Further, illustration of detailed structure is simplified or
omitted as appropriate.
[0018] Still further, repeated or similar description is simplified
or omitted as appropriate.
Embodiment 1
[0019] An overview of structure of an outdoor unit according to
Embodiment 1 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating the
outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a periphery of
a front panel of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a casing of the outdoor unit of an
air-conditioning apparatus includes a front panel 2 constituting a
front surface side of a main body 1 having a box-like shape, a top
panel 3 constituting a top surface of the main body 1, and an air
outlet grille 6.
[0024] An air outlet opening 2a is formed into a circular shape in
the front panel 2, and a bellmouth 4 having a substantially
cylindrical shape is formed around the air outlet opening 2a
integrally with the front panel 2.
[0025] Inside the bellmouth 4, blades of a fan 5 are arranged along
the cylindrical shape of the bellmouth 4. Further, a heat exchanger
(not shown) is arranged on a back surface side of the main body 1,
which is opposed to the front panel 2.
[0026] Along a peripheral edge of the main body 1 on the top
surface side, a vertical stepped portion 1a and a horizontal
stepped portion 1b are formed. The vertical stepped portion 1a has
a vertical surface on an inner side of the casing with respect to a
side wall surface of the main body 1, and the horizontal stepped
portion 1b horizontally connects the side wall surface and the
vertical stepped portion 1a of the main body 1. A bending piece
portion 3a formed along an outer periphery of the top panel 3 is
fitted onto the vertical stepped portion 1a, and closes the top
surface of the main body 1, to thereby form the casing of the
outdoor unit. Then, an outer surface of the bending piece portion
3a of the top panel 3 is flush with the side wall surface of the
main body 1.
[0027] In a front view of the main body 1, the air outlet grille 6
has, for example, a rectangular shape. A plurality of
flat-plate-like louvers 6c define openings that allow the outside
air, which is to be blown by the fan 5, to flow therethrough for
heat exchange.
[0028] Along an upper edge of the air outlet grille 6, there are
formed a fixing piece portion 6a, and an inclined tongue portion 6b
formed continuously with the fixing piece portion 6a.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the fixing piece portion 6a has a
plate-like shape, and is formed so as to extend upward from a back
surface side of the air outlet grille 6. Further, when viewed from
a front surface of the air outlet grille 6, the fixing piece
portion 6a is formed along a widthwise direction of the air outlet
grille 6.
[0030] The fixing piece portion 6a is fixed along the vertical
stepped portion 1a of the front panel 2 of the main body 1 so that
an air outlet plane of the air outlet grille 6 is substantially
vertical when the air outlet grille 6 is mounted to the main body
1.
[0031] The inclined tongue portion 6b is formed so as to extend
with a downward inclination from a lower end of the fixing piece
portion 6a toward the front surface side of the main body 1. A
front end portion of the inclined tongue portion 6b is
substantially flush with front end portions of the plurality of
louvers 6c.
[0032] As materials for the components, for example, a steel sheet
may be adopted for the main body 1 and the top panel 3, and a resin
may be adopted for the air outlet grille 6 and the fan 5. However,
materials for the components are not limited thereto.
[0033] Next, description is made of a process of assembling
components provided around the air outlet grille 6 of the outdoor
unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0034] First, the air outlet grille 6 is temporarily mounted so as
to cover the air outlet opening 2a of the front panel 2 of the main
body 1. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the air outlet grille 6 is
temporarily mounted so that the back surface side of the fixing
piece portion 6a formed along the upper edge of the air outlet
grille 6 abuts on the front surface side of the vertical stepped
portion 1a of the front panel 2 of the main body 1, and that a
lower surface of the fixing piece portion 6a abuts on the
horizontal stepped portion 1b of the main body 1.
[0035] Next, the top panel 3 is mounted from an upper surface side
of the main body 1, and the bending piece portion 3a of the top
panel 3 is fitted onto the vertical stepped portion 1a of the main
body 1. Thus, the fixing piece portion 6a of the air outlet grille
6 is sandwiched between the vertical stepped portion 1a of the
front panel 2 of the main body 1 and the bending piece portion 3a
of the top panel 3. Then, the inclined tongue portion 6b is shaped
so as to extend with a downward inclination from the lower end of
the fixing piece portion 6a toward the front surface side of the
main body 1.
[0036] Finally, a lower portion of the air outlet grille 6 is fixed
to the front panel 2 with engaging means, such as screws and
engaging claws. Thus, mounting of the air outlet grille 6 to the
main body 1 is completed.
[0037] When the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1 is assembled
in the above-mentioned manner, an upper surface of the inclined
tongue portion 6b of the air outlet grille 6 is positioned below
the bending piece portion 3a of the top panel 3 under a state in
which the fixing piece portion 6a is mounted to the main body 1,
and the upper surface of the inclined tongue portion 6b has a
surface inclined downward toward the front surface side of the main
body 1.
[0038] Next, description is made of actions when the outdoor unit
according to Embodiment 1 is operated.
[0039] When the fan 5 of the outdoor unit is driven so as to
rotate, the outside air that is present outside the main body 1 is
sucked into the inside of the main body 1 from the back surface
side of the main body 1. The heat exchanger (not shown) is disposed
on the back surface side of the main body 1. The heat exchanger
functions as a condenser when an indoor unit performs cooling
operation, and functions as an evaporator when the indoor unit
performs heating operation.
[0040] The outside air, which has passed through the heat
exchanger, is blown by the blades of the fan 5 to the front surface
side of the main body 1 of the outdoor unit, and then is blown out
from the air outlet opening 2a of the front panel 2 through an
inner wall surface side of the cylindrical bellmouth 4. The outside
air blown out from the air outlet opening 2a passes between the
louvers 6c of the air outlet grille 6, and is discharged from the
main body 1 of the outdoor unit.
[0041] Now, description is made of a flow of water droplets
generated from rain, snow, and the like when the water droplets
fall down onto the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0042] The water droplets, which are generated from rain, snow, and
the like coming down onto the top panel 3 of the outdoor unit, fall
down onto the inclined tongue portion 6b of the air outlet grille 6
along the bending piece portion 3a from the top panel 3 illustrated
in FIG. 3. The upper surface of the inclined tongue portion 6b
includes the surface inclined downward toward the front surface
side of the main body 1, and hence the water droplets flow over the
inclined tongue portion 6b toward the front surface side of the
main body 1, and then fall down from the front end portion of the
inclined tongue portion 6b. The water droplets, which have thus
fallen down, fall downward along surfaces of the louvers 6c.
Alternatively, when the fan 5 is driven so as to rotate, the water
droplets fall down while being carried off by a blown-out airflow
further toward the front surface side of the main body 1.
[0043] Description is made of effects obtained with the
configuration of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0044] As described above, in the casing of the outdoor unit
according to Embodiment 1, the fixing piece portion 6a of the air
outlet grille 6 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the
vertical stepped portion 1a of the front panel 2 of the main body 1
and the bending piece portion 3a of the top panel 3. Thus, the
water droplets, which are generated from rain, snow, and the like
coming down onto the inclined tongue portion 6b, are dammed up by
the fixing piece portion 6a without intruding into the main body
1.
[0045] In particular, in the weather such as rain or snow, in the
case where the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit functions as the
evaporator, when a temperature of the air having passed through the
heat exchanger is reduced and thus the water droplets are present
in the main body 1, the water droplets may be frozen. In
particular, when the water droplets are frozen on the bellmouth 4
and the like provided around the fan 5, reduction in blowing
performance of the fan 5, occurrence of noise, breakage of the fan
5, and the like may be caused. However, the casing of the outdoor
unit according to Embodiment 1 does not allow the intrusion of the
water droplets into a periphery of the bellmouth 4, thereby being
capable of securing the blowing performance of the fan 5 and
preventing the breakage of the fan 5. Further, even when the front
panel 2 and the air outlet grille 6 are warped or deformed, as long
as the fixing piece portion 6a is arranged between the bending
piece portion 3a and the vertical stepped portion 1a of the front
panel 2, the water droplets do not fall down to the bellmouth 4
side. Consequently, the same effects as the above-mentioned effects
may be obtained.
Embodiment 2 An overview of structure of an outdoor unit according
to Embodiment 2 is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0046] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view illustrating the
outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a periphery of
a front panel of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2.
[0048] The outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2 is similar to the
outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1 in the basic configuration
in which the fixing piece portion 6a of the air outlet grille 6 is
sandwiched between the vertical stepped portion 1a of the front
panel 2 of the main body 1 and the bending piece portion 3a of the
top panel 3. However, in Embodiment 1, the air outlet grille 6 has
such a configuration that the inclined tongue portion 6b is formed
so as to extend from the lower end of the fixing piece portion 6a
to the front surface side of the main body 1, whereas a
configuration of an upper edge of the air outlet grille 6 is
different in Embodiment 2. Therefore, the differences from the air
outlet grille 6 according to Embodiment 1 are described.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper edge of the air outlet
grille 6 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2 includes a
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d having such a shape that a
center is highest and downward inclined surfaces extend from the
center laterally. The lateral inclined tongue portion 6d is formed
so as to extend from the lower end of the fixing piece portion 6a
to the front surface side of the main body 1.
[0050] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in cross-sectional view
of the front panel 2, the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d is
shaped so as to have a horizontal upper surface. Note that,
description is made of an example in which the upper surface of the
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d is horizontal in cross-sectional
view of the front panel 2 as described above. However, similarly to
the inclined tongue portion 6b according to Embodiment 1, the
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d may further have a downward
inclination extending toward the front surface side of the main
body 1.
[0051] A process of assembling components provided around the air
outlet grille 6 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2 is
carried out similarly to that of Embodiment 1. When the outdoor
unit according to Embodiment 2 is assembled, as illustrated in FIG.
5, the upper surface of the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d of
the air outlet grille 6 is positioned below the bending piece
portion 3a of the top panel 3, and includes downward inclined
surfaces extending laterally when viewed from the front surface
side of the main body 1.
[0052] Next, description is made of a flow of water droplets
generated from rain, snow, and the like in a case where the water
droplets fall down onto the outdoor unit according to Embodiment
2.
[0053] The water droplets, which are generated from rain, snow, and
the like coming down onto the top panel 3 of the outdoor unit, fall
down onto the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d of the air outlet
grille 6 along the bending piece portion 3a from the top panel 3
illustrated in FIG. 5. The upper surface of the lateral inclined
tongue portion 6d includes the downward inclined surfaces extending
laterally in front view of the main body 1, and hence the water
droplets flow over the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d
separately in rightward and leftward directions, and then fall down
from both right and left end portions of the lateral inclined
tongue portion 6d. The water droplets that have thus fallen down
fall downward along both end portions of the louvers 6c.
[0054] Note that, in FIG. 4, description is made of an example in
which the upper surface of the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d
includes the downward inclined surfaces extending laterally in
front view of the main body 1. However, the upper surface of the
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d may include an inclined surface
having a downward inclination extending in one of the rightward and
leftward directions.
[0055] Description is made of effects obtained with the
configuration of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2.
[0056] Similarly to Embodiment 1, in the casing of the outdoor unit
according to Embodiment 2, there is adopted such a configuration
that the fixing piece portion 6a of the air outlet grille 6 is
arranged so as to be sandwiched between the vertical stepped
portion 1a of the front panel 2 of the main body 1 and the bending
piece portion 3a of the top panel 3, and that the lateral inclined
tongue portion 6d is formed so as to extend from the lower end of
the fixing piece portion 6a toward the front surface side of the
main body 1. Thus, the water droplets, which are generated from
rain, snow, and the like coming down onto the lateral inclined
tongue portion 6d, are dammed up by the fixing piece portion 6a
without intruding into the main body 1.
[0057] In particular, in the weather such as rain or snow, in a
case where the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit functions as the
evaporator, when a temperature of the air having passed through the
heat exchanger is reduced and thus the water droplets are present
in the main body 1, the water droplets may be frozen. In
particular, when the water droplets are frozen on the bellmouth 4
and the like provided around the fan 5, reduction in blowing
performance of the fan 5, occurrence of noise, breakage of the fan
5, and the like may be caused. However, similarly to Embodiment 1,
the casing of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2 does not
allow intrusion of the water droplets into a periphery of the
bellmouth 4, thereby being capable of securing the blowing
performance of the fan 5 and preventing the breakage of the fan 5.
Further, even when the front panel 2 and the air outlet grille 6
are warped or deformed, as long as the fixing piece portion 6a is
arranged between the bending piece portion 3a and the vertical
stepped portion 1a of the front panel 2, the water droplets do not
fall down to the bellmouth 4 side. Consequently, the same effects
as the above-mentioned effects can be obtained.
Embodiment 3
[0058] An overview of structure of an outdoor unit according to
Embodiment 3 is described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a periphery of
a front panel of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3.
[0060] The outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3 is similar to the
outdoor units according to Embodiments 1 and 2 in the basic
configuration in which the fixing piece portion 6a of the air
outlet grille 6 is sandwiched between the vertical stepped portion
1a of the front panel 2 of the main body 1 and the bending piece
portion 3a of the top panel 3. Further, an air outlet grille
according to Embodiment 3 has a common feature in configuration of
the upper edge of the air outlet grille 6 having such a shape that
a center is highest and downward inclined surfaces extend from the
center laterally like the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d
according to Embodiment 2. Therefore, the differences from the air
outlet grilles 6 according to Embodiments 1 and 2 are
described.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper edge of the air outlet
grille 6 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3 includes a
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d having such a shape that a
center is highest and downward inclined surfaces extend from the
center laterally. The lateral inclined tongue portion 6d is formed
so as to extend from the lower end of the fixing piece portion 6a
to the front surface side of the main body 1.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the lateral inclined tongue
portion 6d integrally includes a protruding piece portion 6e
arranged on the front surface side of the main body 1 in
cross-sectional view of the front panel 2 so as to extend from the
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d upright substantially in a
vertical direction. The protruding piece portion 6e is formed along
a widthwise direction of the air outlet grille 6 when viewed from
the front surface side of the air outlet grille 6.
[0063] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in cross-sectional view
of the front panel 2, the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d is
shaped so as to have a horizontal upper surface. Note that,
description is made of an example in which the upper surface of the
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d is horizontal in cross-sectional
view of the front panel 2 as described above. However, similarly to
the inclined tongue portion 6b according to Embodiment 1, the
lateral inclined tongue portion 6d may further have a downward
inclination extending toward the front surface side of the main
body 1.
[0064] A process of assembling components provided around the air
outlet grille 6 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3 is
carried out similarly to that of Embodiment 1. When the outdoor
unit according to Embodiment 3 is assembled, as illustrated in FIG.
6, the upper surface of the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d of
the air outlet grille 6 is positioned below the bending piece
portion 3a of the top panel 3, and includes downward inclined
surfaces extending laterally when viewed from the front surface
side of the main body 1.
[0065] Further, the protruding piece portion 6e is formed on the
upper surface of the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d on the
front surface side of the main body 1.
[0066] Next, description is made of a flow of water droplets
generated from rain, snow, and the like in a case where the water
droplets fall down onto the outdoor unit according to Embodiment
3.
[0067] The water droplets, which are generated from rain, snow, and
the like coming down onto the top panel 3 of the outdoor unit, fall
down onto the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d of the air outlet
grille 6 along the bending piece portion 3a from the top panel 3
illustrated in FIG. 6. The upper surface of the lateral inclined
tongue portion 6d includes the downward inclined surfaces extending
laterally in front view of the main body 1, and the protruding
piece portion 6e is formed at an end portion of the lateral
inclined tongue portion 6d on the front surface side. Consequently,
the water droplets flow over the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d
separately in the rightward and leftward directions, and then fall
down from both the right and left end portions of the lateral
inclined tongue portion 6d. The water droplets that have thus
fallen down fall downward along both the end portions of the
louvers 6c.
[0068] Description is made of effects obtained with the
configuration of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3.
[0069] Similarly to Embodiments 1 and 2, in the casing of the
outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3, there is adopted such a
configuration that the fixing piece portion 6a of the air outlet
grille 6 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the vertical
stepped portion 1a of the front panel 2 of the main body 1 and the
bending piece portion 3a of the top panel 3, and that the lateral
inclined tongue portion 6d is formed so as to extend from the lower
end of the fixing piece portion 6a toward the front surface side of
the main body 1. Thus, the water droplets, which are generated from
rain, snow, and the like coming down onto the lateral inclined
tongue portion 6d, are dammed up by the fixing piece portion 6a
without intruding into the main body 1.
[0070] In particular, in the weather such as rain or snow, in a
case where the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit functions as the
evaporator, when a temperature of the air having passed through the
heat exchanger is reduced and thus the water droplets are present
in the main body 1, the water droplets may be frozen. In
particular, when the water droplets are frozen on the bellmouth 4
and the like provided around the fan 5, reduction in blowing
performance of the fan 5, occurrence of noise, breakage of the fan
5, and the like may be caused. However, similarly to Embodiments 1
and 2, the casing of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3
does not allow intrusion of the water droplets into a periphery of
the bellmouth 4, thereby being capable of securing the blowing
performance of the fan 5 and preventing the breakage of the fan
5.
[0071] Further, even when the front panel 2 and the air outlet
grille 6 are warped or deformed, as long as the fixing piece
portion 6a is arranged between the bending piece portion 3a and the
vertical stepped portion 1a of the front panel 2, the water
droplets do not fall down to the bellmouth 4 side. Consequently,
the same effects as the above-mentioned effects can be obtained. In
addition, the protruding piece portion 6e is formed on the upper
surface of the lateral inclined tongue portion 6d on the front
surface side of the main body 1, and hence the water droplets do
not fall down to the front surface side of the main body 1.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water droplets from being
scattered to the front surface side of the main body 1 by the
airflow that is blown out when the fan 5 is driven so as to
rotate.
[0072] Embodiments 1 to 3 are described above, but the present
invention is not limited to the description of the respective
embodiments, and all or part of the respective embodiments may be
combined.
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