U.S. patent application number 16/475913 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-08 for ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Hironobu SUEHIRO, Tetsuya TAZAWA, Keisuke TOMOMURA.
Application Number | 20200318853 16/475913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004927989 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-08 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200318853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUEHIRO; Hironobu ; et
al. |
October 8, 2020 |
CEILING-EMBEDDED AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS
Abstract
A ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus includes a main
body, a decorative panel, an air inlet grille and side panels. The
main body includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The
decorative panel is attached to the main body from an opening side
of the main body. The air inlet grille is provided on a design side
of the decorative panel. The side panels are provided on the left
and right sides of the air inlet grille. The decorative panel is
provided with an opening portion which allows suspension metal
fittings of the main body to be operated and also an electrical
device or a pipe connection portion provided at the main body to be
handled, with the decorative panel attached to the main body, after
the side panels are detached from the decorative panel, the air
inlet grille being rotated to be in the opened state.
Inventors: |
SUEHIRO; Hironobu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; TAZAWA; Tetsuya; (Tokyo, JP) ; TOMOMURA;
Keisuke; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004927989 |
Appl. No.: |
16/475913 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
March 29, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2017/012899 |
371 Date: |
July 3, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2013/205 20130101;
F24F 1/32 20130101; F24F 13/20 20130101; F24F 13/084 20130101; F24F
1/0047 20190201; F24F 1/0011 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/08 20060101
F24F013/08; F24F 1/0047 20060101 F24F001/0047; F24F 1/32 20060101
F24F001/32; F24F 13/20 20060101 F24F013/20 |
Claims
1. A ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus comprising: a main
body including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan; a
decorative panel attached to the main body from an opening side of
the main body; an air inlet grille provided on a design side of the
decorative panel; and side panels provided on left and right sides
of the air inlet grille, the side panels being detachably attached
to the decorative panel using respective screw fixing projections
which are provided at the side panels and located between the air
inlet grille and the decorative panel, and the decorative panel
being provided with an opening portion which allows, when the air
inlet grille is in an opened state, suspension metal fittings of
the main body to be operated and also an electrical device or a
pipe connection unit to be handled, with the decorative panel
attached to the main body, after the side panels are detached from
the decorative panel, the air inlet grille being rotated to be in
the opened state.
2. The ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein a window for a wireless photoreceptor unit is provided in
at least one of the side panels.
3. (canceled)
4. The ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
further comprising: hook claws provided at connection sides of the
side panels where the side panels are connected to the decorative
panel; and fixing claws disposed at respective end sides of each of
the side panels.
5. The ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
further comprising: an incombustible material provided at an inner
surface of each of the side panels.
6. The ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
further comprises: an outdoor unit including at least a compressor
and an outdoor heat exchanger; and an indoor unit connected the
outdoor unit by refrigerant pipes to form a refrigeration cycle,
the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus being configured to
perform an air conditioning operation.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative panel of a
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is disclosed that in an existing ceiling-embedded indoor
unit of an air-conditioning apparatus which is embedded in a
ceiling of a room through an opening provided in the ceiling, side
panels are detachably fixed by screws to left and right sides of a
center panel having an air inlet and provided at a center portion
of a decorative panel, and when the side panels are detached from
the center panel, suspending fittings can be operated (see, for
example, Patent Literature 1).
[0003] It is also disclosed that in an air-conditioning apparatus,
corner panels are provided at four corners of a decorative panel
attached to a bottom surface of a main body of the air-conditioning
apparatus, and includes hook claws and screw fixing portions, and
when the corner panels are detached, suspending fittings can be
operated (see, for example, Patent Literature 2).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No.
[0005] 2013-200096
[0006] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2009-41779
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0007] A main body of a ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus
is provided in space above a ceiling of a room, and a decorative
panel exposed to indoor space of the room is attached to a lower
portion of an opening portion of a main-body case of the
air-conditioning apparatus. Therefore, an opening for operation is
provided by removing part of the decorative panel, in such a way as
to allow suspension fittings to be adjusted in height, with the
decorative panel attached to the main-body case. A tool is inserted
through the opening for operation, and the suspension fittings are
finely adjusted using the tool. However, maintenance of the
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus includes the following
work: work related to an electrical device, such as connection of
lines of the electrical device and setting of a switch; and work
for checking whether or not leakage occurs in connected part
between refrigerant pipes and checking of a heat insulator. Those
work cannot be achieved only with the opening for adjustment of the
suspension fittings.
[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above
problem, and an object of the invention is to provide a
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus which allows suspension
fittings to be operated, with a decorative panel attached to the
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus, and also allows an
electrical device or a refrigerant-pipe connecting unit included in
the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus to be handled, with
the decorative panel attached to the ceiling-embedded
air-conditioning apparatus.
Solution to Problem
[0009] A ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus of an
embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body including
an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan; a decorative panel
attached to the main body from an opening side of the main body, an
air inlet grille provided on a design side of the decorative panel,
and side panels provided on left and right sides of the air inlet
grille. The side panels are detachably attached to the decorative
panel by the air inlet grille. The decorative panel is provided
with an opening portion which allows, when the air inlet grille is
in an opened state, suspension metal fittings of the main body to
be operated and also an electrical device or a pipe connecting unit
provided at the main body to be handled, with the decorative panel
attached to the main body, after the side panels are detached from
the decorative panel, the air inlet grille being rotated to be in
the opened state.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0010] The ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus of the
embodiment of the present invention includes: the main body
including the indoor heat exchanger and the indoor fan; the
decorative panel attached to the main body from an opening side of
the main body, the air inlet grille provided on a design side of
the decorative panel, and side panels provided on left and right
sides of the air inlet grille. The side panels are detachably
attached to the decorative panel by the air inlet grille. The
decorative panel is provided with the opening portion which allows,
when the air inlet grille is in an opened state, suspension metal
fittings of the main body to be operated and also the electrical
device or the pipe connecting unit to be handled, with the
decorative panel attached to the main body, after the side panels
are detached from the decorative panel, the air inlet grille being
rotated to be in the opened state. Therefore, with the decorative
panel attached to the main body, the suspension metal fittings can
be operated and the electrical device or the pipe connecting unit
included in the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus can be
handed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling-embedded
air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of opened states of an air
inlet grille and left and light side panels in the ceiling-embedded
air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of screw fixing portions for
the decorative panel and the left and right side panels in the
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiment
1 of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a configuration of each of
the side panels in the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus
according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a fixing projection of each
side panel in the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus
according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an electrical device and a pipe
connecting unit in the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus
according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the configuration of the
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiment
1 of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling-embedded
air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1 of the present
invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of opened states of an air
inlet grille and left and light side panels in embodiment 1 of the
present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ceiling-embedded
air-conditioning apparatus 1 includes an indoor-unit main body 1
and a decorative panel 2. On a design-surface side of the
decorative panel 2, side panels 6 are provided on the left and
right sides of the decorative panel 6, and an air inlet grille 5 is
provided at a center portion of the decorative panel 2. One of the
side panels 6 has a window for a wireless photoreceptor unit 7.
Furthermore, an indoor unit includes an electrical unit 14 and a
pipe connecting unit 15.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the air inlet grille 5 located at
the above center portion is attached to the decorative panel such
that it can be rotated on an opposite side of a side of the
decorative panel where an air outlet 4 is located. The side panels
6 are disposed on the left and right sides of the air inlet grille
5, and are detachably attached to the decorative panel such that
each of the side panels 6 can be rotated about its end side portion
on an opposite side of a side where the air inlet grille 5 is
located. After the air inlet grille 5 is opened, the side panels 6
can be opened independently of each other. When one of the side
panels 6 is opened, the electrical device provided in the main body
1 is exposed, and can be handled from below. The electrical device
includes the wireless photoreceptor unit. Thus, the above side
panel 6 is provided with a window for wireless light-reception,
which allows a wireless signal to be received, without the need to
open/close the side panel 6. When the other side panel 6 is opened,
the refrigerant-pipe connecting unit for circulating refrigerant in
an indoor heat exchanger is exposed. This connecting unit can be
touched and handled from below.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of screw fixing portions for
the decorative panel and the left and right side panels in
embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view
of a configuration of each of the side panels in embodiment 1 of
the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the side
panels 6, which are attached to left and right sides of the air
inlet 4, is rectangular and provided with hook claws 10 disposed at
three locations, that is, left and right end portions and a center
portion on one of longitudinal sides of each side panel 6. The one
longitudinal side is connected to the decorative panel. At a center
portion of the other longitudinal side of each side panel 6, a
screw fixing projection 11 having a screw fixing hole is provided.
Fixing claws 12 are provided at respective positions which are
close to the above other longitudinal side where the screw fixing
projection 11 is provided, and which are located on both short
sides of each side panel 12 which are perpendicular to the
longitudinal side. As illustrated in FIG. 4, an incombustible
material 13 is provided in an area surrounded by the four sides of
each side panel 6.
[0021] The hook claws 10 provided on the above one longitudinal
side of the side panel 6 are engaged with opening end portions of
the decorative panel 4. The screw fixing projection 11 and the hook
claws 10 are located on opposite sides. The screw fixing projection
11 projects from the side panel 6, and has a screw fixing hole for
a screw by which the side panel 6 can be fixed to the decorative
panel 2 from below when the side panel 6 is attached to the
decorative panel 2.
[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the side panels 6, which are
disposed on the left and right sides of the air inlet, are detached
from the decorative panel 2, opening portions 9 provided on the
left and right sides of the air inlet are exposed. Through the
opening portions 9, space above a ceiling of a room can be viewed.
At surfaces of the side panels 6 which face the respective opening
portions 9 of the decorative panel 2, incombustible materials 13
are provided to receive foreign matter which drops toward or
adheres to the decorative panel 2 from the space above the
ceiling.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the screw fixing projection 11
of the left and right side panels in embodiment 1 of the present
invention. FIG. 6 illustrates the electrical device and the pipe
connecting unit in embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring
to FIGS. 5 and 6, the screw fixing projections 11 of the side
panels 6 on the left and right sides of air inlets 3 having the air
inlet grille 5 are located between the air inlet grille 5 and the
main body 2 of the decorative panel. Furthermore, the electrical
device 14, the pipe connecting unit 15 and suspension metal
fittings 16 of the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus
(indoor unit) are provided in space located above the ceiling and
above the left and right side panels 6.
[0024] Next, the operation will be described.
[0025] In the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus 1 having
the above configuration, each of the side panels 6 on the left and
right sides of the air inlets 3 having the air inlet grille 5 is
attached to the decorative panel 2 as follows: three hook claws 10
provided in the side panel 6 are engaged with the main body of the
decorative panel; two fixing claws 12 are then engaged with the
main body of the decorative panel; and the side panel 6 is fastened
and fixed to the decorative panel 2 by a screw 8 in the screw
fixing hole of the screw fixing projection 11. Next, the air inlet
grille 5 is attached to the main body of the decorative panel.
[0026] In the case of detaching the air inlet grille 5 or the side
panels 6 from the decorative panel 2, the decorative panel 2 can be
easily opened in reverse order of the attachment.
[0027] As described above, with the decorative panel 2 attached to
the main body 1 of the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus,
the suspension metal fittings 16 of the indoor unit main body 1 can
be touched and handled from below on the indoor side through any of
the opening portions 9 provided in the decorative panel 2. A
technician can put his or her hand into the opening portion 9 while
having a tool, and can thus adjust a suspended position of the main
body 1 of the indoor unit. Similarly, the electrical device 14 and
the pipe connecting unit 15 of the main body of the indoor unit can
be touched and handled through the opening portion 9. Therefore,
the efficiency of installation work is improved.
[0028] Furthermore, the screw fixing projections 11 of the side
panels 6 attached to the left and right sides of the air inlet
grille 5 are located between the air inlet grille 5 and the main
body 2 of the decorative panel. Thus, the screw fixing projections
11 do not appear on the design surface, thus improving the
design.
[0029] Furthermore, since the incombustible materials 13 are
provided at inner sides of the side panels 6, even if the
electrical device 14 or the pipe connecting unit 15 of the main
body 1 of the ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus catches
fire from outside, the side panels 6 can prevent the spread of fire
to the indoor side.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the configuration of the
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus according to the
embodiment of the present invention. In the example of the
ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus as illustrated in FIG.
7, an outdoor unit included in a refrigeration cycle is connected
to an indoor unit by refrigerant pipes. In the example illustrated
in FIG. 7, it is assumed that elements which are the same as those
as descried with reference to, for example, FIG. 1 perform the same
operations. In the air-conditioning apparatus as illustrated in
FIG. 7, an outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 100 as described
with respect to embodiment 1 are connected to each other by a gas
refrigerant pipe 300 and a liquid refrigerant pipe 400.
[0031] The indoor unit 100 is provided with an indoor heat
exchanger 110 that includes, for example, a fin-and-tube heat
exchanger and causes heat exchange to be performed between air and
refrigerant. The indoor unit 100 is also provided with an indoor
fan provided close to the indoor heat exchanger 110. The indoor fan
is, for example, a centrifugal fan. In this case, as the
centrifugal fan, a cross-flow fan is employed. The indoor fan sucks
air in indoor space, and sends the air to the indoor heat exchanger
110.
[0032] The outdoor unit 200 includes a compressor 210, a four-way
valve 220, an outdoor heat exchanger 230 and an expansion valve
240. The compressor 210 compresses sucked refrigerant and
discharges the compressed refrigerant. It should be noted that
although it is not particularly limited, the compressor 210 may be
controlled by using, for example, an inverter such that the
capacity (the amount of refrigerant to be fed out per unit time) of
the compressor 210 is varied by arbitrarily varying an operating
frequency. The four-way valve 220 switches the flow of the
refrigerant between, for example, that for a cooling operation and
that for a heating operation.
[0033] The outdoor heat exchanger 230 according to embodiment 1
causes heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant and
air (outdoor air). For example, during the heating operation, the
outdoor heat exchanger 230 operates as an evaporator to evaporate
and gasify the refrigerant. During the cooling operation, the
outdoor heat exchanger 230 operates as a condenser to condense and
liquefy the refrigerant.
[0034] The expansion valve 240, which is, for example, an expansion
device (flow amount control unit), reduces the pressure of the
refrigerant to expand the refrigerant.
[0035] For example, in the case where an electronic expansion valve
is used, the opening degree of the expansion valve is adjusted in
response to an instruction from, for example, a controller (not
illustrated). The indoor heat exchanger 110 causes heat exchange to
be performed between, for example, air to be air-conditioned and
the refrigerant. During the heating operation, the indoor heat
exchanger 110 operates as a condenser to condense and liquefy the
refrigerant. During the cooling operation, the indoor heat
exchanger 110 operates as an evaporator to evaporate and gasify the
refrigerant.
[0036] Since the air-conditioning apparatus has the above
configuration, the heating operation and the cooling operation can
be performed by changing the flow of the refrigerant in a switching
manner using the four-way valve 220 of the outdoor unit 200.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0037] 1 main body of ceiling-embedded air-conditioning apparatus 2
decorative panel 3 air inlet 4 air outlet 5 air inlet grille 6 side
panel 7 wireless photoreceptor unit 8 screw 9 opening portion 10
hook claw 11 screw fixing projection 12 fixing claw 13
incombustible material 14 electrical device 15 pipe connecting unit
16 suspension metal fittings 20 suspension bolt 21 ceiling plate
100 indoor unit 110 indoor heat exchanger 200 outdoor unit 210
compressor 220 four-way valve 230 outdoor heat exchanger 240
expansion valve 300 gas refrigerant pipe 400 liquid refrigerant
pipe.
* * * * *