Ceiling embedded type indoor unit

Abstract: There is disclosed a ceiling embedded type indoor unit which is reduced in height to provide a compact unit body size and which provides a large cooling/heating capability. The ceiling embedded type indoor unit comprising two air blowoff ports (8) and embedded in a ceiling comprises a heat exchanger (11) formed in a U-shape with sides of the U-shape being disposed on long sides of a unit body (1) and connected to a header pipe for circulating a coolant at one end of an open side of the U-shape, air blowoff ports (8) disposed to extend from a bottom side the U-shape, and a centrifugal blower (3) disposed aside to the bottom side of the U-shape relative to a substantial center of a length direction of the sides of the U-shape.

Description: The present invention relates to a ceiling embedded type indoor unit of an air conditioner, particularly to a two-direction blowoff indoor unit, provided with two blowoff ports, which is made smaller for its capability. In a conventional ceiling embedded type indoor unit provided with four air blowoff ports or so-called four-direction blowoff unit, it is known to dispose a squared annular heat exchanger or two L-shaped heat exchangers in combination around a centrifugal blower. Moreover, for the ceiling embedded type indoor unit for four-direction blowoff, it is described in JP-U-63-123929 that a heat exchanger formed in U-shape is disposed around the centrifugal blower and that two of four air blowoff ports are closed. Moreover, in the two-direction blowoff ceiling embedded type indoor unit provided with two air blowoff ports, a sirocco fan which is a large-diameter multi-vane fan is often used in order to provide a large amount of air and two heat exchangers are often arranged along the air blowoff ports. Furthermore, it is known that in the two-direction blowoff ceiling embedded type indoor unit a heat exchanger formed in a circular shape is disposed around the centrifugal blower such as a turbo fan to make the entire unit thin. In the above-mentioned prior arts, the indoor unit in which the sirocco fan is used becomes high height because a fan casing is needed and the like. This restricts a degree of freedom in installation when a unit body is installed on the back of ceiling. Specifically, for the ceiling embedded type indoor unit, regardless of four or two-direction blowoff, an indoor unit of which height is as low as possible is demanded so that it can be installed even in a small-scale office with a small ceiling height. Moreover, the indoor unit disclosed in JP-U-63-123929 is made to the two-direction blowoff type by closing two of the air blowoff ports of the four-direction blowoff type. Therefore, the indoor unit disclosed in JP-U-63-123929 does not take it into consideration that it is preferable to make the air blowoff ports longer in comparison with the body of the unit in the two-direction blowoff type since the two-direction blowoff indoor unit may be installed, for example, in an elongated room, narrow place, or room corner. Furthermore, the unit in which the circular heat exchanger is disposed around the turbo fan has difficulty in developing products in response to several cooling/heating capacities or units of which air blowoff ports are lengthened and in improving the air flow distribution to the heat exchanger. It should be noted that EP-A-0789196 discloses a ceiling embedded type inducer unit being a four-direction blowoff unit in which there is a rectangular heat exchanger with the four blowoff parts arranged along the respective sides of the rectangle. The unit has a centrifugal blower which is positioned within the rectangle, and is eccentric relative to the center of the rectangle, being towards the end of the rectangle to which are connected header pipes for circulating a coolant in the heat exchanger. According to the present invention there is provided a ceiling embedded, two directional air blowoff indoor unit comprising a unit body formed in a rectangular shape as seen from the inside, a heat exchanger formed in a U-shape, the sides of the U-shape being disposed along the long sides of the unit body and the bottom of the U-shape being disposed along a short side of the unit body, header pipes for circulating a coolant connected to the ends of the U-shaped heat exchanger, a centrifugal blower, an air inlet port, and air blowoff ports provided along the long sides of the unit body, characterised in that: said air blowoff ports extend beyond the bottom of the U-shaped heat exchanger along the long sides of the unit body, and said centrifugal blower is disposed aside to the bottom of the U-shaped heat exchanger with respect to the substantial centre of the length of the sides of the U-shaped heat exchanger, whereby air from the centrifugal blower is arranged to be fed to the air blowoff ports through the bottom of the U-shaped heat exchanger in addition to the sides of the U-shaped heat exchanger. The present invention may thus provide a two-direction blowoff ceiling embedded type indoor unit which is reduced in height and which is a large cooling/heating capability and an excellent air flow distribution to a heat exchanger although the body of the unit is small and compact. The present invention may also provide a two-direction blowoff ceiling embedded type indoor unit which can easily cope with various capacities of the cooling/heating capability. The heat exchanger is formed in the U-shape, and connected to the header pipe in one end of the open side of the U-shape. Therefore, when the height of the heat exchanger is constant, it is possible to arrange the heat exchanger such that an effective area of the heat exchanger becomes large relative to a width dimension of the unit body. Moreover, since the air blowoff ports are disposed to extend from the bottom side of the U-shape heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction of the unit body, it is possible to sufficiently lengthen the air blowoff ports relative to the length of the unit body or the heat exchanger. Furthermore, since the centrifugal blower is disposed aside toward the bottom side of the U-shape, the air from the centrifugal blower is fed to the air blowoff ports not only via the sides but also the bottom side of the U-shape. By the above-mentioned constitution, even when the height of the indoor unit is reduced, it is possible to make the cooling/heating capability large and the air flow distribution to the heat exchanger good. Moreover even when the cooling capability is made large, it is possible to easily cope with the various capacities of cooling/heating capability since it is sufficient only to lengthen the length of the U-shaped heat exchanger. Preferably the unit body (1) has a long side length of 800 to 1500 mm, a short side length of 600 to 640 mm and a height of 260 to 300 mm. By this constitution, since the heat exchanger is formed in the U-shape and its height is in the range of 220 to 260 mm, it is possible to arrange the heat exchanger such that an effective area of the heat exchanger becomes large by lengthen and length thereof, while the height of the body is sufficient low to make the height of the body to be 260 to 300 mm. Moreover, since the air blowoff ports are arranged to extend from the bottom side of the U-shape heat exchanger, it is possible to sufficiently lengthen also the length of the air blowoff ports relative to the unit body size with the width of 800 to 1500 mm and depth of 600 to 640 mm or relative to the length of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, since the centrifugal blower is arranged aside toward the bottom side of the U-shape, the air from the centrifugal blower is fed to the air blowoff ports via not only the sides but also the bottom side of the U-shape. Therefore, even when the length of the air blowoff ports is lengthened relative to the unit body width of 800 to 1500 mm, the area of the heat exchanger can be effectively used up to its tip end. Preferably there is a water receptacle having sectional shape with gradients in a height direction and substantially symmetrical with respect to the substantial center in a depth direction of the unit body at the bottom side of the U-shape heat exchanger. With this constitution, since the sectional shape of the water receptacle at least around the bottom side of the U-shape heat exchanger has gradients in the height direction substantially symmetrical with respect to the substantially symmetrical with respect to the substantial center of the heat exchanger, the air having flowed to the bottom side of the U-shape from the centrifugal blower is distributed to opposite sides, and equally distributed to the two air blowoff ports. Therefore, even when the height of the indoor unit is reduced, by lengthening and length of the heat exchanger, the effective area of the heat exchanger and the amount of blow air are increased, so that the cooling/heating capability can be increased and further an excellent air flow can be realized. There is provided a ceiling embedded type indoor unit comprising a unit body, a heat exchanger, a blower, an air inlet port and air blowoff ports, the unit body having a rectangular shape as seen from an indoor side. The heat exchanger may have a height of 220 to 260 mm and a height of 80 to 120 mm, said indoor unit then having a cooling capability in the range of 6 to 10 kW. With this constitution, since the height of the heat exchanger is in the range of 220 to 260 mm, and the height of the centrifugal blower is in the range of 80 to 120 mm, the height of the unit body can be 300 mm or less. The air blowoff ports are extended from the heat exchanger, and the centrifugal blower is disposed aside the side on which the air blowoff ports are extended relative to the substantial center of the length direction of the heat exchanger. Therefore, without increasing the width of the unit body, the heat exchanger is lengthened, and the effective area of the heat exchanger and the amount of blow air are increased, so that the cooling capability can be in the range of 6 to 10 kW. Furthermore, a plurality of centrifugal blowers can be provided in the above-described indoor unit, and a partition plate is provided between adjoining blowers. Additionally, the U-shape heat exchanger may have one side of the U-shape which is longer than the other side thereof. The heat exchanger may have provided a water receptacle having a gradient in a height direction in such a manner that a sectional area of a flow path leading to the air blowoff ports from a substantial center of the centrifugal blower is expanded relative to a depth direction of the unit body. With those constitution, the air blowoff ports are extended from a part of the U-shaped heat exchanger. Therefore, even when the air blowoff ports are lengthened relative to the length of the heat exchanger, the air from the centrifugal blower flows to the air blowoff ports via a part of the U-shaped heat exchanger,so that the area of the heat exchanger can be effectively used. Additionally, since the water receptacle is made such that the sectional area of the flow path is expanded toward the air blowoff ports, the airflow to the air blowoff ports becomes little loss and excellent. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view showing an inner constitution of one embodiment of a ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view showing an inner constitution of another embodiment of a ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a front view showing an inner constitution of a further embodiment of a ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a front view showing a decorative panel of one embodiment of the ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to the present invention. Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a shape of blower partition plates of one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a front view showing a constitution of a U-shaped heat exchanger of one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a front view showing a constitution of a heat exchanger of another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9A is a front view showing a relationship and configuration of the heat exchanger and the water receptacle of one embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 9B and 9C are sectional views of the water receptacle taken along lines IXB-IXB and IXC-IXC in Fig. 9A, respectively. Figs. 10A and 10B are sectional views of the water receptacle of one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a front view showing a method of fixing the heat exchanger of one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a front view showing a method of fixing a series of heat exchangers according to prior arts. Fig. 13 is a front view showing a modification of the heat exchanger of another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a front view showing a modification of the heat exchanger of a still further embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14. Fig. 4 is a sectional side view showing a structure of a ceiling embedded type two-direction blowoff indoor unit according to the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a front view of a decorative panel as seen from below. The indoor unit comprises a heat exchanger 2, a blower 3, a blower motor 4, a water receptacle 5 and an electric component box 9 in which electric components are installed, and these components are incorporated in a unit body 1. A decorative panel 6 is attached to the underside of the unit body, and the indoor unit is suspended from a ceiling (not shown) via suspending bolts 10 and attached. The decorative panel 6 is provided with an air inlet port 7 at its central portion and air blowoff ports 8 at both ends of the air inlet port 7. The two-direction blowoff indoor unit denotes a type in which two air blowoff ports are provided as shown in Fig. 5. The indoor unit usually has a rectangular shape as seen from below or indoor side and two air blowoff ports are provided on long sides of the shape. Fig. 1 is a front view showing an inner constitution of the unit body 1 of the ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a front view showing the inner constitution of the unit body 1 of the ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, at the central portion of the two-direction blowoff indoor unit disposed is one centrifugal blower 3, around which a heat exchanger 11 formed in a U-shape is arranged. A partition plate 12 is attached to one side of the heat exchanger 11 to separate a primary space 13a of the heat exchanger 11 from a secondary space 13b. The heat exchanger 11 is installed substantially in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the indoor unit. Specifically, the sides of the U-shape are disposed on long sides of the unit body 1, and one end of an open side of the U-shape is connected to header pipes 19a, 19b for circulating coolants as shown in Fig. 11. Moreover, when the heat exchanger 11 is formed in the U-shape, two portions of a flat material of the heat exchanger 11 are bent at bending angles each of almost 90 degrees, for example, to provide a shape as shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the air blowoff ports 8 are extended from a bottom side of the U-shape heat exchanger 11, and the centrifugal blower 3 is disposed aside toward the bottom side of the U-shape relative to a substantial center of each side of the U-shape heat exchanger 11 in a length direction. In the indoor unit shown in Fig. 2, two centrifugal blowers 3 are arranged in the unit body 1 and the heat exchanger 11 is disposed around the centrifugal blowers. Three or more centrifugal blowers 3 may be provided. Advantages of the U-shaped heat exchanger 11 will be described. Fig. 12 shows a constitution of the heat exchanger 11 mounted inside the unit body 1 of a conventional two-direction blowoff ceiling embedded type indoor unit, and two series type heat exchangers 18 are arranged in series in correspondence with the air blowoff ports 8. The heat exchangers are easily arranged in blowing off air in two direction and the constitution is convenient. When two series type heat exchangers 18 are used, however, each heat exchanger needs to be connected to gas-side and liquid-side header pipes 19a, 19b. As compared with when one heat exchanger is used, the number of components or assembly processes is remarkably increased. The constitution is also disadvantageous for cost reduction. On the other hand, when the heat exchanger 11 is formed in the U-shape as shown in Fig. 1, it can be adapted to two air blowoff ports 8. Additionally, since the shape of the U-shape heat exchanger results in a shape of two heat exchangers being connected, the gas-side and liquid-side header pipes 19a and 19b for circulating the coolants may be provided on only one end of the open side of the U-shape. The constitution reduces the size of the unit body 1, and is further advantageous for cost and production respects. Moreover, to increase the cooling capability as an air conditioner, it is essential to enlarge the area of the heat exchanger, but the series type heat exchanger 18 sometimes provides an insufficient total area of two exchangers. In the unit shown in Fig. 1, however, the area of the heat exchanger 11 is effectively used up to the bottom side of the U-shape. Furthermore, the U-shaped heat exchanger 11, different from the prior-art circular heat exchanger, can enlarge the area thereof by lengthening only the side length of the U-shape. As compared with the circular heat exchanger or the like, the modification is remarkably easy. Therefore, when it is desired to finely adjust the cooling capability, it is sufficient only to adjust the length of the sides of the U-shape heat exchanger 11. As described above, the heat exchanger 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention has the U-shape which is easy to lengthen the length of the heat exchanger. Therefore, when the height of the indoor unit must be reduced, in other words, the height of the heat exchanger must be reduced, the same cooling/heating capability as that before the height is reduced is obtained by easily lengthen the length of the heat exchanger. Moreover, when the unit body 1 is made small, a sufficient distance cannot be provided between the heat exchanger 11 and the centrifugal blower 3 due to dimensional restriction. In general, unless the distance is secured with 30 mm or more, wind cutting noise is generated. When a wind direction plate 20 is provided as shown in Fig. 1, however, the air flow distribution is improved, so that the distance between the heat exchanger 11 and the centrifugal blower 3 can be reduced. Furthermore, when a plurality of centrifugal blowers 3 are provided as shown in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, winds fed from the adjoining centrifugal blowers 3 interfere with each other, thereby increasing the noise. To solve the problem, by inserting a partition plate 14 between the centrifugal blowers 3, the mutual interference is prevented and the noise can be reduced. The partition plate 14 may be installed vertical to separate the centrifugal blowers 3, or inclined in consideration of air blow distribution. Fig. 6 is a side view showing a shape of the partition plate 14, which includes a flat shape 14a, a folded S-shape 14b, and a curved shape 14c. When the plate has a smooth curved S-shape like 14c, air flows smoothly, which provides a most effective noise countermeasure. As described above, in the constitution shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the height of the heat exchanger 11 is in the range of 220 to 260 mm, and can preferably be reduced to about 240 mm. Therefore, as regards installation, it is also preferable to set the width of the unit body in the range of 800 to 1500 mm, the depth in the range of 600 to 640 mm and the height in the range of 260 to 300 mm. The effective area of the heat exchanger can be enlarged, and the air blowoff ports 8 can sufficiently be lengthened. Moreover, when the cooling capability is 8.0 kW or less, the unit body 1 of the indoor unit preferably has a width of 860 mm, depth of 620 mm, and height of 300 mm. When the cooling capability exceeds 8.0 kW, the width of 1440 mm, depth of 620 mm, and height of about 300 mm are preferable. In either case, the height can be 300 mm or less. Additionally, when the height is 300 mm or less, installation can be realized even for a module with a ceiling dimension of 300 mm. Furthermore, when the height of the heat exchanger 11 is set in the range of 220 to 260 mm, the height of the centrifugal blower 3 is set in the range of 80 to 120 mm and the height of the unit body 1 is set to 300 mm or less, the effective area of the heat exchanger 11 and the amount of blown air are increased so that the cooling capability can sufficiently be in the range of 6 to 10 kW. The two-direction blowoff ceiling embedded type indoor unit can be reduced in size for its capability. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the inner constitution of the unit body 1 of the ceiling embedded type indoor unit according to still further embodiment, and one open side of the U-shape heat exchanger 11 around the centrifugal blower 3 is lengthened to provide an offset constitution. Fig. 8 is a front view showing the inner constitution of the unit body of the offset heat exchanger, and the centrifugal blower 3 blows air in a circumferential direction, so that the blower rotates in a direction shown by an arrow. Therefore, the upstream side of the centrifugal blower 3 has a larger amount of air, and the side length of the heat exchanger 11 on the larger air amount side, i.e., a long side 15a of the U-shape is longer than a short side 15b on a downstream side. Thereby, the heat exchange performance can be enhanced without increasing the width of the unit body 1. Furthermore, since each side length of the heat exchanger 11 can easily be changed, the air amounts of air blown from two blowoff ports can be equalized on opposite sides by adjusting the length. Conversely, when it is desired to increase the air amount of one of the air blowoff ports 8, only the length of the heat exchanger 11 may be adjusted. Additionally, not only the air amount but also the temperature of blown air can easily be equalized or unbalanced on opposite sides. Furthermore, the heat exchanger is adapted to the arrangement of the electric component box or the like, and the space utilization factor can be enhanced. In the two-direction blowoff, when the heat exchanger is formed in the U-shape, the bottom side 15c of the U-shape has no air blowoff port 8. Therefore, the air flowing toward the bottom side 15c of the U-shape is passed through the heat exchanger 11, distributed to opposite sides, and separately blown off via two air blowoff ports 8. To equally distribute the air blown from the two air blowoff ports 8, the shape of the water receptacle around the bottom side 15c of the U-shape is important. Figs. 9 and 10 are a front view of the unit body 1 showing the relationship and configuration of heat exchanger 11 and water receptacle 5 and sectional views of the water receptacle. Reference numeral 5a denotes a front view of the water receptacle 5, and 5b, 5c denote sectional views around the bottom side 15c of the U-shape. To improve the distribution of the air passing through the bottom side 15c of the U-shape heat exchanger 11, the sectional shape of the water receptacle 5 has gradients in the height direction of the unit body 1 and in symmetrical with respect to the center of the water receptacle 5, as shown in Fig. 9B taken along line IXB-IXB in Fig. 9A. Moreover, the sectional shape of the water receptacle 5 is preferably rounded to provide a smoothly curved shape as shown by 5c in Fig. 10B. As described above, when the shape of the water receptacle 5 is adjusted, the air distribution can be improved, and the direction of air blown via the air blowoff ports 8 can be changed. For example, when the shape is moderately rounded, the air from the air blowoff ports 8 flows rather in a horizontal direction. On the other hand, when it is provided with a steep gradient, the air flows perpendicularly from the air blowoff ports. Fig. 11 is a front view showing a method of fixing the heat exchanger 11 to the unit body 1, and the open side of the U-shape and the bottom side 15c of the U-shape are fixedly screwed to a housing which is the unit body 1 through a heat exchanger partition plate 12 and a heat exchanger support plate 16, respectively. Moreover, the U-shaped heat exchanger 11 can be used not only for the two-direction blowoff but also for three-direction blowoff by adding another air blowoff port to the bottom side 15c of the U-shape. Figs. 13 and 14 are front views showing modifications of the U-shaped heat exchanger 11 according to other embodiments. Specifically, the heat exchanger 11 is formed in the shape of character C or 8 as shown in the drawings. In the heat exchanger shown in Fig. 13, the tip end of the U-shape may additionally be bent, so that the total area for receiving the air from the blower can be increased. Moreover, in the heat exchanger shown in Fig. 14, a part of the U-shape is narrowed, so that when two centrifugal blowers 3 are arranged, both of them can separately be surrounded. Therefore, the air from the centrifugal blower 3 can more efficiently be subjected to heat exchange. This constitution also provides an advantage that a partition plate needed between the centrifugal blowers 3 can be omitted. As described above, according to the present invention, the heat exchanger is formed in the U-shape, the air blowoff ports are arranged to extend from the bottom side of the U-shape, and the centrifugal blower is disposed aside toward the bottom side. Therefore, even when the height of the heat exchanger is reduced relative to the width dimension of the unit body, the effective area can be enlarged, and the air blowoff ports can be sufficiently lengthened. Consequently, even when the height of the indoor unit is reduced, the ceiling embedded type indoor unit which is large in cooling/heating capability and excellent in air flow distribution can be obtained. Moreover, according to the present invention, the heat exchanger is formed in the U-shape with its height being in the range of 220 to 260 mm, the centrifugal blower is arranged aside to the bottom side of the U-shape, and the air blowoff ports are constituted to extend from the bottom side of the U-shape. The air blowoff ports can be sufficiently lengthened with respect to the unit body having a width of 800 to 1500 mm and depth of 600 to 640 mm. Therefore, the ceiling embedded type indoor unit can be obtained which is effectively used up to the tip end of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the sectional shape of the water receptacle at least around the bottom side of the U-shape heat exchanger has gradients in the height direction of the unit body 1 and in symmetrical with respect to the center of the heat exchanger, the air from the centrifugal blower is equally distributed to two air blowoff ports. Therefore, even when the indoor unit is reduced in height and the air blowoff ports are lengthened, the ceiling embedded type indoor unit excellent in air flow can be obtained. Additionally, according to the present invention, the air blowoff ports are extended from the heat exchanger having a height of 220 to 260 mm, the centrifugal blower having a height of 80 to 120 mm is disposed aside toward the side from which the air blowoff ports are extended, and the cooling capability is in the range of 6 to 10 kW. Therefore, the ceiling embedded type indoor unit can be obtained in which the unit body has a height of 300 mm or less and the effective area of the heat exchanger and the amount of blown air are increased without increasing the width of the unit body. Moreover, according to the present invention, the air blowoff ports are disposed to extend from a part of the U-shaped heat exchanger, and the water receptacle is made such that the sectional area of the water receptacle is enlarged toward the air blowoff ports. Therefore, even when the air blowoff port is longer than the heat exchanger, the air from the centrifugal blower can pass to the air blowoff port through the U-shaped part of the heat exchanger, so that the ceiling embedded type indoor unit can be obtained in which the area of the heat exchanger can effectively be used and there is little loss in the flow to the air blowoff port.

Claims: A ceiling embedded, two directional air blowoff indoor unit comprising a unit body (1) formed in a rectangular shape as seen from the inside, a heat exchanger (2, 11) formed in a U-shape, the sides of the U-shape being disposed along the long sides of the unit body (1) and the bottom of the U-shape being disposed along a short side of the unit body (1), header pipes (19a, 19b) for circulating a coolant connected to the ends of the U-shaped heat exchanger (2, 11), a centrifugal blower (3), an air inlet port (7), and air blowoff ports (8) provided along the long sides of the unit body (1), characterised in that said air blowoff ports (8) extend beyond the bottom of the U-shaped heat exchanger (2, 11) along the long sides of the unit body (1), and said centrifugal blower (3) is disposed aside to the bottom of the U-shaped heat exchanger (2, 11) with respect to the substantial centre of the length of the sides of the U-shaped heat exchanger (2, 11), whereby air from the centrifugal blower (3) is arranged to be fed to the air blowoff ports (8) through the bottom of the U-shaped heat exchanger (2, 11) in addition to the sides of the U-shaped heat exchanger (2, 11). A ceiling embedded, two directional air blowoff indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the unit body (1) has a long side length of 800 to 1500 mm, a short side length of 600 to 640 mm and a height of 260 to 300 mm. A ceiling embedded, two directional air blowoff indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein there is provided at the bottom of the U-shaped heat exchanger (2, 11) a water receptacle (5) having a sectional shape with gradients in a height direction and substantially symmetrical with respect to the substantial centre of the short side of the unit body (1). A ceiling embedded, two directional air blow off indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger (2, 11) has a height in the range of 220 to 260 mm, said centrifugal blower (3) has a height in the range of 80 to 120 mm, and said indoor unit has cooling capability in the range of 6 to 10 kW. A ceiling embedded, two directional air blowoff indoor unit according to claim 1, further comprising other centrifugal blowers (3) and partition plates (14) provided between the adjacent centrifugal blowers (3). A ceiling embedded, two directional air blowoff indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein one side (15a) of the U-shaped heat exchanger (11b) is longer than the other side (15b) of the U-shaped heat exchanger (11b). A ceiling embedded two directional air blowoff indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a water receptacle (5) having a gradient in a height direction in such a manner that a sectional area of a flow path leading to the air blowoff ports (8) from a substantial centre of the centrifugal blower (3) is expanded relative to a direction of the short side of said unit body.

Inventors: HATA YOSHIKI, KOSUGI SHINICHI, SANO TAKASHI, SHIKAZONO NAOKI, HATA, YOSHIKI, KOSUGI, SHINICHI, SANO, TAKASHI, SHIKAZONO, NAOKI
Applicants: HITACHI LTD, HITACHI, LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F24F1
IPC codes: F24F1