U.S. patent application number 14/433746 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for air conditioning apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Takashi Ikeda, Atsushi Kono, Makoto Kurihara, Masahiko Takagi, Kenyu Tanaka.
Application Number | 20150276246 14/433746 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52565561 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150276246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kono; Atsushi ; et
al. |
October 1, 2015 |
AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS
Abstract
Provided is an air conditioning apparatus, including: a main
body having at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet each
being formed at a lower part of the main body; and a heat exchanger
housed inside the main body and arranged in a flow passage of air
to be sucked into the main body through the air inlet and blown out
to a target space through the air outlet. The air outlet is formed
between a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall and an opposing
air duct wall, which is opposed to the heat exchanger outlet-side
air duct wall. A thickness (L1) of the heat exchanger outlet-side
air duct wall is 0.15L2 to 0.25L2, where L2 represents an inlet
width of the air outlet.
Inventors: |
Kono; Atsushi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ikeda; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Takagi;
Masahiko; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kurihara; Makoto;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Tanaka; Kenyu; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
52565561 |
Appl. No.: |
14/433746 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
September 17, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2013/075016 |
371 Date: |
April 6, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/249 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/0011 20130101;
F24F 1/0047 20190201; F24F 7/08 20130101; F24F 1/0007 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/08 20060101
F24F007/08 |
Claims
1. An air conditioning apparatus, comprising: a main body having at
least one air inlet and at least one air outlet each being formed
at a lower part of the main body; and a heat exchanger housed
inside the main body and arranged in a flow passage of air to be
sucked into the main body through the air inlet and blown out to a
target space through the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is
formed between a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall and an
opposing air duct wall, which is opposed to the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall, and wherein a thickness L1 of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall is 0.15L2 to 0.25L2, where L2
represents an inlet width of the air outlet.
2. An air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an
upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall
comprises, in an air outlet-side region thereof, a curved surface
portion formed of a curved surface, which is convex toward an air
duct side, and wherein a range L3 of the curved surface portion in
a thickness direction is equal to or larger than 0.4L1.
3. An air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an
upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall comprises
a curved surface portion and a flat surface portion, wherein the
curved surface portion is formed of a curved surface, which is
convex toward an air duct side, and is positioned at the upper end
of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall, which is close to
a center portion of the air outlet, and wherein the flat surface
portion is positioned at the upper end of the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall, which is closer to the heat exchanger
than the curved surface portion.
4. An air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall comprises a curved surface
portion and a flat surface portion, wherein the curved surface
portion is formed of a curved surface, which is convex toward an
air duct side, and is positioned at an upper end of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall, and wherein the flat surface
portion is positioned closer to a center portion of the air outlet
than the curved surface portion, and is positioned at an end of an
upstream side of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in a
region opposed to the opposing air duct wall.
5. An air conditioning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a
part of the curved surface portion, which is positioned at each end
portion of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in a
longitudinal direction, is larger than a part of the curved surface
portion, which is positioned at a center portion of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in the longitudinal
direction.
6. An air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall comprises a stepped
portion, wherein the stepped portion is positioned at the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in a region opposed to the
opposing air duct wall, and wherein a region below the stepped
portion of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall is concave
away from the opposing air duct wall.
7. An air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a
distance L5 between the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall
and the heat exchanger is smaller than the thickness L1 of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall.
8. An air conditioning apparatus, comprising: a main body having at
least one air inlet and at least one air outlet each being formed
at a lower part of the main body; and a heat exchanger housed
inside the main body and arranged in a flow passage of air to be
sucked into the main body through the air inlet and blown out to a
target space through the air outlet, wherein the air outlet is
formed between a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall and an
opposing air duct wall, which is opposed to the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall, and wherein a thickness L1 of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall is 0.15L2 to 0.25L2, where L2
represents an inlet width of the air outlet, wherein a thickness
L1' of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall at the each end
portion in the longitudinal direction is larger than the thickness
L1 of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall at the center
portion in the longitudinal direction.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning
apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As a ceiling-concealed air conditioning apparatus of the
related art, for example, an air conditioning apparatus disclosed
in Patent Literature 1 is known. In this air conditioning
apparatus, an airflow direction adjusting member having a flattened
lower surface is arranged at an air outlet, and a convex surface is
formed at an air blower-side upper end of an air duct wall that
defines an air outlet channel at an upstream side of the air
outlet.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] [PTL 1] JP 2012-251676 A (FIG. 1)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] In the ceiling-concealed air conditioning apparatus of the
related art, however, there is a problem in that the airflow rate
may be insufficient and noise may be generated due to the airflow
resistance caused at the air outlet. As one factor of this problem,
for example, the air current may be separated at an inlet portion
of the air outlet when the air passing through a heat exchanger is
caused to flow into the air outlet. That is, when the air current
is separated, the airflow resistance is increased, thereby causing
decrease in airflow rate and increase in noise.
[0005] Further, to address such a problem, in the above-mentioned
air conditioning apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the
shape of the air duct wall is merely devised, but no further
consideration is given so as to secure the airflow rate and reduce
the noise.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the
above-mentioned circumstances, and it is therefore an object of the
present invention to provide an air conditioning apparatus capable
of suppressing increase in airflow resistance, thereby being
capable of securing a sufficient airflow rate and reducing
noise.
Solution to Problem
[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to
one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an air
conditioning apparatus, including: a main body having at least one
air inlet and at least one air outlet each being formed at a lower
part of the main body; and a heat exchanger housed inside the main
body and arranged in a flow passage of air to be sucked into the
main body through the air inlet and blown out to a target space
through the air outlet, in which the air outlet is formed between a
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall and an opposing air duct
wall, which is opposed to the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct
wall, and in which a thickness L1 of the heat exchanger outlet-side
air duct wall is 0.15L2 to 0.25 L2, where L2 represents an inlet
width of the air outlet.
[0008] An upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall
may include, in an air outlet-side region thereof, a curved surface
portion formed of a curved surface, which is convex toward an air
duct side. A range L3 of the curved surface portion in a thickness
direction may be equal to or larger than 0.4L1.
[0009] An upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall
may include a curved surface portion and a flat surface portion.
The curved surface portion may be formed of a curved surface, which
is convex toward an air duct side, and be positioned at the upper
end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall, which is close
to a center portion of the air outlet. The flat surface portion may
be positioned at the upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side
air duct wall, which is closer to the heat exchanger than the
curved surface portion.
[0010] The heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall may include a
curved surface portion and a flat surface portion. The curved
surface portion may be formed of a curved surface, which is convex
toward an air duct side, and be positioned at an upper end of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall. The flat surface portion
may be positioned closer to a center portion of the air outlet than
the curved surface portion, and be positioned at an end of an
upstream side of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in a
region opposed to the opposing air duct wall.
[0011] A part of the curved surface portion, which is positioned at
each end portion of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in
a longitudinal direction, may be larger than apart of the curved
surface portion, which is positioned at a center portion of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in the longitudinal
direction.
[0012] The heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall may include a
stepped portion. The stepped portion may be positioned at the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in a region opposed to the
opposing air duct wall. A region below the stepped portion of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall may be concave away from
the opposing air duct wall.
[0013] A distance L5 between the heat exchanger outlet-side air
duct wall and the heat exchanger may be smaller than the thickness
L1 of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall.
[0014] A thickness L1' of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct
wall at the each end portion in the longitudinal direction may be
larger than the thickness L1 of the heat exchanger outlet-side air
duct wall at the center portion in the longitudinal direction.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0015] According to the one embodiment of the present invention, it
is possible to suppress increase in airflow resistance, to thereby
secure a sufficient airflow rate and reduce noise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an internal structure of
an air conditioning apparatus according to a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an air outlet of the air
conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a graph showing characteristics of a change in
airflow rate with respect to L1/L2 in the air conditioning
apparatus according to the first embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a second embodiment of the
present invention in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a graph showing characteristics of a change in
airflow rate with respect to L3/L1 in an air conditioning apparatus
according to the second embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a third embodiment of the
present invention in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the
present invention in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the
present invention in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a sixth embodiment of the
present invention in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating an air outlet of an air
conditioning apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Now, an air conditioning apparatus according to embodiments
of the present invention is described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. Note that, in the drawings, the same
reference symbols represent the same or corresponding parts.
First Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating an internal
structure of an air conditioning apparatus according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the air
conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment
corresponds to an indoor unit of a so-called package air
conditioner. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which a principal part
of a main body of the air conditioning apparatus is embedded in a
ceiling of a room and a lower part of the main body faces the
inside of the room.
[0028] The ceiling-concealed air conditioning apparatus includes a
main body 20 and a heat exchanger 3. The main body 20 of the air
conditioning apparatus is embedded at a back side of a ceiling
surface 15 of the room (opposite side to the room) being a target
space.
[0029] As one example, in the first embodiment, the main body 20
includes a main-body top panel 5 having a rectangular shape in plan
view, and four main-body side panels 4 extending downward from four
sides of the main-body top panel 5. In other words, the main body
20 is such a casing that an upper end surface of a rectangular tube
body defined by the four main-body side panels 4 is closed by the
main-body top panel 5.
[0030] At the lower part of the main body, namely, at an opened
lower end surface of the above-mentioned casing, a decorative panel
6 is mounted on the main body in a freely removable manner. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the main-body top panel 5 is positioned
above the ceiling surface 15, whereas the decorative panel 6 is
positioned substantially flush with the ceiling surface 15.
[0031] Further, the main body 20 of the air conditioning apparatus
has at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet 9. In the
vicinity of a center of the decorative panel 6, a suction grille 7
is provided as the inlet of air into the main body. A filter 8 for
removing dust in the air passing through the suction grille 7 is
provided at an inner side of the suction grille 7.
[0032] As one example, in the first embodiment, the decorative
panel 6 and the suction grille 7 each have a rectangular outer edge
in plan view.
[0033] In a region between the outer edge of the decorative panel 6
and the outer edge of the suction grille 7, a plurality of air
outlets 9 are formed as the outlets of the air. In the first
embodiment, four air outlets 9 are formed in accordance with the
structure in which the decorative panel 15 and the suction grille 7
each have the outer edge along four sides thereof, and the
respective air outlets 9 are arranged so as to extend along the
corresponding sides of the decorative panel 6 and the suction
grille 7. Further, the four air outlets 9 are positioned so as to
surround the suction grille 7. An airflow direction flap 13 for
adjusting a direction of the air to be blown out is provided at
each air outlet 9.
[0034] A fan motor 2 is arranged at a center portion of the inside
of the main body. The fan motor 2 is supported by a lower surface
of the main-body top panel 5 (at an inner space side of the main
body). A turbofan 1 serving as an air blowing section is fixed to a
rotational shaft of the fan motor 2, which extends downward.
Further, a bellmouth 14 that defines a suction air duct extending
from the suction grille 7 toward the turbofan 1 is provided between
the turbofan 1 and the suction grille 7. The turbofan 1 sucks the
air into the main body through the suction grille 7, and causes the
air to flow out to an inside 17 of the room being the target space
through the air outlet 9.
[0035] The heat exchanger 3 is arranged at a radially outer side of
the turbofan 1. In other words, the heat exchanger 3 is housed
inside the main body 20, in particular, arranged in a flow passage
of the air to be sucked into the main body 20 through the air inlet
(suction grille 7) and blown out to the target space through the
air outlet 9, to thereby exchange heat between the air and a
refrigerant.
[0036] The heat exchanger 3 includes a plurality of fins arranged
at predetermined intervals in a horizontal direction, and heat
transfer pipes passing through the fins. The heat transfer pipes
are connected to a known outdoor unit (not shown) through a
connection pipe so that a cooled or heated refrigerant is supplied
to the heat exchanger 3. Note that, the structures and shapes of
the turbofan 1, the bellmouth 14, and the heat exchanger 3 are not
particularly limited, but known structures and shapes are employed
in the first embodiment.
[0037] In this structure, when the turbofan 1 is rotated, the air
in the inside 17 of the room is sucked into the suction grille 7 of
the decorative panel 6. Then, the air from which the dust is
removed by the filter 8 is guided by the bellmouth 14 that defines
the air inlet of the main body, and is then sucked into the
turbofan 1. Further, the air sucked into the turbofan 1 from bottom
to top is blown out in a horizontal and radially outward direction.
When the air thus blown out passes through the heat exchanger 3,
the heat is exchanged and the humidity is adjusted. After that, the
air is blown out to the inside 17 of the room through each air
outlet 9 with the flow direction switched to a downward
direction.
[0038] Next, details of the air outlet 9 are described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a vertical
section of one air outlet 9 according to the first embodiment.
Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall has the same vertical section maintained
in a longitudinal direction (direction orthogonal to both of a
vertical direction and a width direction: lengthwise
direction).
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air outlet 9 is formed between
the heat exchanger 3 and the main-body side panel 4 in plan view.
More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the air outlet 9 is
formed between a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 10 and an
opposing air duct wall 11, which is opposed to the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall 10. A part of the air outlet 9 at the
center side of the main body (heat exchanger side or air blower
side) is defined by the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall
10, whereas a part of the air outlet 9 at the outer edge side of
the decorative panel 6 is defined by the opposing air duct wall 11
formed at the main-body side panel side. Both ends of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 10 and both ends of the
opposing air duct wall 11 are connected to each other by a pair of
side walls (wall portions represented by reference symbol 12 in
FIG. 10). The air current passing through the heat exchanger 3 is
caused to flow into the air outlet 9 from the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall 10 side.
[0040] In the first embodiment, assuming that the thickness of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 10 of the air outlet 9 is
defined as L1 and the inlet width of the air outlet 9 is defined as
L2, L1 is set within a range of from 0.15L2 to 0.25L2. FIG. 3 shows
a relationship between L1/L2 and the airflow rate. As shown in FIG.
3, in a case where the thickness L1 of the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall 10 is smaller than 0.15L2, the air
current is significantly separated at the inlet portion of the air
outlet 9 when the air current is caused to flow into the air outlet
9, and hence the airflow resistance is increased, thereby causing
decrease in airflow rate. In a case where the thickness L1 of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 10 is larger than 0.25L2,
on the other hand, the air duct width is decreased, and hence the
airflow resistance is increased, thereby causing the decrease in
airflow rate. In contrast, when L1 falls within the range of from
0.15L2 to 0.25L2 as in the first embodiment, a sufficient airflow
rate is secured.
[0041] According to the air conditioning apparatus of the first
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, the thickness
L1 of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 10 is set within
the range of from 0.15L2 to 0.25L2, thereby being capable of
suppressing the increase in airflow resistance, which may be caused
by the separation of the air current, and also suppressing the
increase in airflow resistance, which may be caused by the decrease
in size of the air outlet. Thus, it is possible to secure a
sufficient airflow rate, reduce noise, and to achieve a high power
saving rate. Further, decrease in air velocity can be suppressed
through the suppression of the separation of the air current, with
the result that dew condensation on the airflow direction flap,
which may be caused by undesired intake of the air from the inside
of the room, can be prevented.
Second Embodiment
[0042] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a view
illustrating a vertical section of one air outlet 9 according to
the second embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed
that a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall has the same
vertical section maintained in a longitudinal direction. Note that,
an air conditioning apparatus of the second embodiment is similar
to the air conditioning apparatus of the first embodiment except
for the parts described below.
[0043] In the second embodiment, a curved surface portion 121 is
formed in an air outlet-side region of an upper end of a heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 110 that defines the air outlet
9 (at a downstream side of the air current flowing out of the heat
exchanger down along the air outlet). The curved surface portion
121 is formed of a curved surface that is convex upward (toward the
outer side of the air duct wall or the air duct side instead of the
inner side of the air duct wall). A range L3 of the curved surface
portion 121 in a thickness direction is equal to or larger than
0.4L1. For example, the curved surface portion 121 may be formed
with at least one curvature radius, or may be formed of a curved
surface having a radius that continuously changes. Note that, L3
equals L1 at a maximum (L3L1).
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a relationship between L3/L1 and the airflow
rate. As shown in FIG. 5, in a case of L3/L1<0.4, the airflow
rate is increased as L3 is larger. In a case of L3/L1.gtoreq.0.4,
on the other hand, the airflow rate is substantially constant
irrespective of L3. Thus, in the second embodiment, the range L3 of
the curved surface portion 121 in the thickness direction is set
equal to or larger than 0.4L1 so that a substantially constant and
high airflow rate may be maintained.
[0045] Also in the air conditioning apparatus of the second
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, similar
advantages to the advantages of the first embodiment described
above are attained. In addition, in the second embodiment, the
upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 110 is
formed into the curved surface shape, and thus the separation of
the air current can be suppressed, thereby being capable of
suppressing the increase in airflow resistance. Thus, it is
possible to further enhance the power saving rate, reduce the air
blowing noise, and to prevent the dew condensation, which may be
caused by undesired intake of the air from the inside of the
room.
Third Embodiment
[0046] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a
vertical section of one air outlet 9 according to the third
embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall has the same vertical section
maintained in the longitudinal direction. Note that, an air
conditioning apparatus of the third embodiment is similar to the
air conditioning apparatus of the first or second embodiment except
for the parts described below.
[0047] In the air conditioning apparatus of the third embodiment, a
curved surface portion 221 and a flat surface portion 223 are
formed at an upper end of a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct
wall 210. The curved surface portion 221 is positioned at the upper
end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 210, which is
close to a center portion of the air outlet 9, whereas the flat
surface portion 223 is positioned at the upper end of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 210, which is closer to the
heat exchanger 3 than the curved surface portion 221 (which is
spaced away from the center portion of the air outlet 9), namely,
positioned at an upstream side of the air current flowing out of
the heat exchanger 3 down along the air outlet 9. The curved
surface portion 221 is formed of a curved surface that is convex
upward. The flat surface portion 223 is formed continuous with the
curved surface portion 221. It is desired that a range L4 of the
flat surface portion 223 in the thickness direction be equal to or
larger than 1 mm.
[0048] Also in the air conditioning apparatus of the third
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, similar
advantages to the advantages of the first or second embodiment
described above are attained. In addition, in the third embodiment,
the flat surface portion 223 is formed at the upstream side of the
curved surface portion 221 of the upper end of the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall 210, and thus the air current before
flowing toward the curved surface portion 221 easily adheres to the
wall surface of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 210,
thereby being capable of further suppressing the separation of the
air current at the curved surface portion 221. Thus, it is possible
to further enhance the power saving rate, reduce the air blowing
noise, and to prevent the dew condensation, which may be caused by
undesired intake of the air from the inside of the room.
Fourth Embodiment
[0049] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a
vertical section of one air outlet 9 according to the fourth
embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall has the same vertical section
maintained in the longitudinal direction. Note that, an air
conditioning apparatus of the fourth embodiment is similar to the
air conditioning apparatus of any one of the first to third
embodiments except for the parts described below.
[0050] A heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 310 of the air
conditioning apparatus of the fourth embodiment has a curved
surface portion 321 and a flat surface portion 325. The curved
surface portion 321 is positioned at an upper end of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 310. The curved surface portion
321 is formed of a curved surface that is convex upward. The flat
surface portion 325 is positioned closer to the center portion of
the air outlet 9 than the curved surface portion 321, namely,
positioned at the downstream side of the air current flowing out of
the heat exchanger 3 down along the air outlet 9. In addition, the
flat surface portion 325 is positioned in an immediately downstream
region of the upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct
wall 310, namely, positioned at the end of the upstream side of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 310 in a region opposed to
the opposing air duct wall 11. The flat surface portion 325 is
formed continuous with the curved surface portion 321.
[0051] Also in the air conditioning apparatus of the fourth
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, similar
advantages to the advantages of any one of the corresponding first
to third embodiments described above are attained. In addition, in
the fourth embodiment, the flat surface portion 325 is formed at
the downstream side of the curved surface portion 321 of the upper
end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 310, and thus,
even when the air current is separated at the curved surface
portion 321, re-adhesion of the air current can be promoted. Thus,
it is possible to further enhance the power saving rate, reduce the
air blowing noise, and to prevent the dew condensation, which may
be caused by undesired intake of the air from the inside of the
room.
Fifth Embodiment
[0052] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a
vertical section of one air outlet 9 according to the fifth
embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall has the same vertical section
maintained in the longitudinal direction. Note that, an air
conditioning apparatus of the fifth embodiment is similar to the
air conditioning apparatus of any one of the first to fourth
embodiments except for the parts described below.
[0053] A heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 410 of the air
conditioning apparatus of the fifth embodiment has a stepped
portion 427 formed thereon. The stepped portion 427 is positioned
at the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 410 in a region
opposed to the opposing air duct wall 11. A region below the
stepped portion 427 of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall
410 (at the downstream side of the air current flowing out of the
heat exchanger 3 down along the air outlet 9) is concave away from
the opposing air duct wall 11.
[0054] Also in the air conditioning apparatus of the fifth
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, similar
advantages to the advantages of any one of the corresponding first
to fourth embodiments described above are attained. In addition, in
the fifth embodiment, even when the air current is separated over a
range of from an upper end of the heat exchanger outlet-side air
duct wall 410 to the region opposed to the opposing air duct wall
11 and a vortex is generated in the region in which the air current
is separated, the vortex can be suppressed by the stepped portion
427. Also in this case, it is possible to enhance the power saving
rate, reduce the air blowing noise, and to prevent the dew
condensation, which may be caused by undesired intake of the air
from the inside of the room.
Sixth Embodiment
[0055] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a
vertical section of one air outlet 9 according to the sixth
embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall has the same vertical section
maintained in the longitudinal direction. Note that, an air
conditioning apparatus of the sixth embodiment is similar to the
air conditioning apparatus of any one of the first to fifth
embodiments except for the parts described below. Further, FIG. 9
only illustrates an example, which is a structure obtained by
combining the fifth embodiment with the fourth embodiment described
above.
[0056] In the air conditioning apparatus of the sixth embodiment, a
distance L5 between a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 510
and the heat exchanger 3 is set smaller than a thickness L1 of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 510.
[0057] Also in the air conditioning apparatus of the sixth
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, similar
advantages to the advantages of any one of the corresponding first
to fifth embodiments described above are attained. In addition, in
the sixth embodiment, the distance L5 between the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall 510 and the heat exchanger 3 is smaller
than the thickness L1 of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct
wall 10, and thus the amount of air current passing through the
heat exchanger 3 at a position lower than an upper end of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 510 can be reduced, thereby
being capable of suppressing the separation of the air current when
the air current flows over the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct
wall 510. Thus, it is possible to further enhance the power saving
rate, reduce the air blowing noise, and to prevent the dew
condensation, which may be caused by undesired intake of the air
from the inside of the room.
Seventh Embodiment
[0058] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a top view
illustrating one air outlet 9 according to the seventh embodiment
of the present invention. Note that, an air conditioning apparatus
of the seventh embodiment is similar to the air conditioning
apparatus of any one of the first to sixth embodiments except for
the parts described below. Further, it is assumed that the features
of the first to sixth embodiments are applied to a center portion
of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in the longitudinal
direction.
[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the air outlet 9 is defined, in
plan view, by a heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 610, the
opposing air duct wall 11, and the pair of side walls 12 connecting
both ends of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 610 and
both ends of the opposing air duct wall 11 to each other. In the
seventh embodiment, a thickness L1' of the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall 610 at each end portion in the
longitudinal direction is set larger than a thickness L1 of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 610 at the center portion
in the longitudinal direction.
[0060] Also in the air conditioning apparatus of the seventh
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, similar
advantages to the advantages of any one of the corresponding first
to sixth embodiments described above are attained. In addition, in
the seventh embodiment, the following advantages are attained as
well. That is, considering the flow of the air current at the
entire air outlet 9, at both end portions of the air outlet 9 in
the longitudinal direction, the air is caused to flow not only from
the side of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 610 but
also from the side of the pair of side walls 12. Therefore, at both
end portions of the air outlet 9 in the longitudinal direction, the
air current is more liable to be separated than at the center
portion of the air outlet 9 in the longitudinal direction. In
contrast, in the seventh embodiment, the thickness L1' of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 610 at each end portion in the
longitudinal direction is set larger than the thickness L1 of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall 610 at the center portion
in the longitudinal direction, and thus the amount of air current
flowing into the air outlet 9 at each end portion in the
longitudinal direction can be reduced, thereby being capable of
suppressing the separation of the air current in the entire region
in the longitudinal direction. Thus, it is possible to further
enhance the power saving rate, reduce the air blowing noise, and to
prevent the dew condensation, which may be caused by undesired
intake of the air from the inside of the room.
Eighth Embodiment
[0061] Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention is
described. Note that, an air conditioning apparatus of the eighth
embodiment is similar to the air conditioning apparatus of any one
of the first to seventh embodiments except for the parts described
below. Further, it is assumed that the features of the first to
seventh embodiments are applied to a center portion of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in the longitudinal
direction.
[0062] The eighth embodiment has a feature in that, in the curved
surface portion formed at the upper end of the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall of the air outlet 9 according to any one
of the first to seventh embodiments, a part of the curved surface
portion, which is positioned at each end portion of the heat
exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in the longitudinal direction,
is larger than a part of the curved surface portion, which is
positioned at the center portion of the heat exchanger outlet-side
air duct wall in the longitudinal direction. The size of the curved
surface portion is determined based on comparison in any one of the
size of the convex portion that defines the curved surface portion,
the width of the heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in the
region including the curved surface portion, the range of formation
of the curved surface portion of the heat exchanger outlet-side air
duct wall in the vertical direction, and the range of occupation of
the curved surface portion in side view (in the view of FIG. 2).
Note that, in this respect, FIG. 10 also illustrates one aspect of
the eighth embodiment in the case of comparison in the width of the
heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall in the region including
the curved surface portion.
[0063] Also in the air conditioning apparatus of the eighth
embodiment, which is constructed as described above, similar
advantages to the advantages of any one of the corresponding first
to seventh embodiments described above are attained. Further, also
in the eighth embodiment, similar advantages to the advantages
unique to the seventh embodiment described above are attained in
terms of the curved surface portion of the heat exchanger
outlet-side air duct wall. Thus, it is possible to enhance the
power saving rate, reduce the air blowing noise, and to prevent the
dew condensation, which may be caused by undesired intake of the
air from the inside of the room.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0064] As examples of application of the present invention, the
present invention is widely applicable to an indoor unit that
constructs a refrigeration cycle system, such as an indoor unit of
an air conditioning apparatus, or various other apparatus and
facilities in which an air blower is installed.
[0065] Although the details of the present invention are
specifically described above with reference to the preferred
embodiments, it is apparent that persons skilled in the art may
adopt various modifications based on the basic technical concepts
and teachings of the present invention.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0066] 3 heat exchanger, 9 air outlet, 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510,
610 heat exchanger outlet-side air duct wall, 11 opposing air duct
wall, 121, 221, 321 curved surface portion, 223, 325 flat surface
portion, 427 stepped portion
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