Patent Publication Number: US-2019178507-A1

Title: Outdoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus including a heat exchanger in which a plurality of heat exchanger units are vertically stacked. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In a conventional outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, a holding part is interposed between each two of a plurality of heat exchanger units each bent into an L-shape or a U-shape at a part of the heat exchanger unit to stably and vertically stack the plurality of heat exchanger units. 
     There is disclosed a technology that a side surface of an upper heat exchanger unit and a side surface of a lower heat exchanger unit are supported by the holding part (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-79851 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, in the outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 described above, the holding part regulates a large range of linear portions and corner portions of the heat exchanger units that are each bent into an L-shape or a U-shape at a part of the heat exchanger unit. Consequently, when the heat exchanger units vary in bending angles, and the bending angles of the heat exchanger units that are vertically adjacent to each other are not equal, adjustment of the bending angles of the heat exchanger units is required at the time of assembly. As a result, the number of assembly steps is increased, or assembly time is elongated. Thus, there is a problem in assembly efficiency. 
     Further, for improvement in assembly efficiency, it is conceivable to increase dimensions of a support portion, which is provided on the holding part and regulates the side surfaces of the heat exchanger units, and vertically stack the heat exchanger units having various bending angles as they are. However, in this case, there is a problem in that an uneven surface due to deviation in an air flow direction of the heat exchanger units that are vertically stacked is caused at a part, such as a back surface of the outdoor unit, at which an installation worker or a user can touch the heat exchanger units that are vertically stacked. 
     The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and has an object to provide an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus that improves assembly efficiency through elimination of need for adjustment of bending angles of heat exchanger units at the time of assembly, and prevents an uneven surface due to deviation in an air flow direction of the heat exchanger units that are vertically stacked at a part, such as a back surface of the outdoor unit, at which an installation worker or a user can touch the heat exchanger units that are vertically stacked. 
     Solution to Problem 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, including a heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchanger units, the plurality of heat exchanger units being vertically stacked and each including a long side portion, a short side portion, and a corner portion bent and connecting the long side portion and the short side portion to each other. In the heat exchanger, deviation in an air flow direction that lies between ones of the plurality of heat exchanger units that are vertically adjacent to each other is larger at the short side portions than at the long side portions. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the heat exchanger, the deviation in the air flow direction that lies between the ones of the plurality of heat exchanger units that are vertically adjacent to each other is larger at the short side portions than at the long side portions. Consequently, assembly efficiency can be improved through elimination of need for adjustment of the bending angles of the heat exchanger units at the time of assembly. Further, it is possible to prevent the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units that are vertically stacked at the part at which the long side portions are arranged, such as the back surface of the outdoor unit, at which an installation worker or a user can touch the heat exchanger units that are vertically stacked. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view for illustrating an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view for illustrating a state of the outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a back surface of the outdoor unit. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a heat exchanger mounted to the outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view for illustrating a first regulating part in Embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view for illustrating a range of regulation by the first regulating part in Embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view for illustrating a second regulating part in Embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view for illustrating a third regulating part in Embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view for illustrating a state of the heat exchanger to be mounted to the outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a back surface of the heat exchanger. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view for illustrating a state of a heat exchanger to be mounted to an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus in the related art as viewed from a back surface of the heat exchanger. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, components denoted by the same reference signs correspond to the same or similar components. The reference signs are commonly used throughout the description herein. In addition, the modes of the components described herein are merely examples, and the components are not limited to the description herein. 
     Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view for illustrating an outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a bottom plate  1  and a heat exchanger  10 . The heat exchanger  10  is placed on the bottom plate  1 . 
     The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a compressor  2  and connection pipes  3 . The connection pipes  3  connect the heat exchanger  10  and the compressor  2  to each other. 
     The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a fan  4 , a motor (not shown), and a motor mounting base  5 . The fan  4  is configured to send air to the heat exchanger  10 . The motor is configured to drive the fan  4 . The motor mounting base  5  fixes the fan  4  and the motor. The motor mounting base  5  is fixed to the bottom plate  1 , and fixes the heat exchanger  10  in such a manner that the heat exchanger  10  is sandwiched between the motor mounting base  5  and the bottom plate  1 . A flexible part made of a flexible material such as insulation (not shown) is bonded to the motor mounting base  5  at a top surface of the motor mounting base  5  at which the motor mounting base  5  is held in contact with a top plate  9 , and the motor mounting base  5  is pressed by the top plate  9 . 
     The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a controller  6  above the compressor  2 . The controller  6  has a flat plate shape, and is configured to control, for example, the compressor  2  and the motor. 
     The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a casing  7  that surrounds various components to accommodate the various components. The casing  7  includes an outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  and an outdoor-unit-front-surface portion  7   b . The outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  covers a short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10 . The outdoor-unit-front-surface portion  7   b  is located at a portion of the casing  7  opposite to a long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10 , which is exposed as a back surface of the outdoor unit  100 . 
     The outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7  has a plurality of openings  7   a   1 , which serve as air inlets and allow passage of air. 
     The outdoor-unit-front-surface portion  7   b  of the casing  7  has an air outlet  7   b   1  to which a fan guard is mounted. 
     The outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  and the outdoor-unit-front-surface portion  7   b  of the casing  7  may be formed as separate components. 
     The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a pillar portion  8 . The pillar portion  8  forms an outdoor-unit-opposite-side-surface portion at a portion of the outdoor unit  100  opposite to the outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7 , and a side edge portion  11   a  of the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10  is fixed to the pillar portion  8 . The pillar portion  8  is a cover having an L-shape that is bent and connecting a part of the back surface of the outdoor unit  100  and the outdoor-unit-opposite-side-surface portion. At an inner portion than the pillar portion  8 , the compressor  2 , the connection pipes  3 , and the controller  6  are placed. Consequently, the pillar portion  8  does not have an opening that allows passage of air. 
     The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes the top plate  9 . The top plate  9  is placed over the casing  7  and the pillar portion  8 , and fixes the heat exchanger  10  by pressing the motor mounting base  5  of the heat exchanger  10  downward to sandwich the heat exchanger  10  between the top plate  9  and the bottom plate  1 . The top plate  9  has a shape along four side surfaces of a rectangular shape of the outdoor unit having a contour formed by the heat exchanger  10 , the casing  7 , and the pillar portion  8 . 
     The heat exchanger  10  has an L-shape including one long side portion  11 , one short side portion  12 , and a corner portion  13  that is bent and connecting the long side portion  11  and the short side portion  12  to each other. That is, the heat exchanger  10  is formed into such an L-shape that the short side portion  12  is continuous from the long side portion  11  through the corner portion  13 . 
     In the heat exchanger  10 , the long side portion  11  is exposed as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 , and the heat exchanger  10  is placed along the contour of the outdoor unit  100 . 
     In Embodiment, the heat exchanger  10  having the L-shape including the one short side portion  12  is described as an example. However, the heat exchanger in the present invention may be formed into a U-shape including two short side portions each continuous to a corresponding one of both side edge portions of one long side portion through a corresponding one of corner portions. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view for illustrating a state of the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus allows, by the fan  4 , air outside the outdoor unit  100  to pass through the heat exchanger  10  from a part covered by the back surface of the outdoor unit  100  and the outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7  and flow through the air outlet  7   b   1  in a front surface of the outdoor unit  100 . Consequently, the part covered by the back surface of the outdoor unit  100  and the outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7  forms an inflow-surface portion. Further, a part facing the inside of the outdoor unit  100  forms an outflow-surface portion. In the heat exchanger  10 , air flows in an air flow direction directed from the inflow-surface portion to the outflow-surface portion. 
     In the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus, the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10 , which cannot be easily touched by a user due to, for example, presence of a wall surface of a house directly behind the outdoor unit  100  after installation, is exposed as a back-surface-side opening of an air inlet. With this configuration, a contour component such as a frame that hinders flow of air is not provided on the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 , and hence air sending efficiency is excellent. 
     Further, in the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus, a user can easily touch the side surface of the outdoor unit  100  at which the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is present. Thus, the side surface of the outdoor unit  100  is covered by the outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7 . The outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7  has the plurality of openings  7   a   1 , which serve as the air inlets and allow passage of air. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the heat exchanger  10  is formed by vertically stacking two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b.    
     Three or more heat exchanger units may be vertically stacked to form a heat exchanger. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the side edge portion  11   a  of the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10  is fixed to the pillar portion  8  at a plurality of positions with screws  20   a  and  20   b . In the fixing with the screws at the plurality of positions, the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked are each fixed. 
     The short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is not fixed to a set part with, for example, screws or a hooking part. The short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is pressed and fixed to the bottom plate  1  by the top plate  9 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view for illustrating the heat exchanger  10  mounted to the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in each of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked, a plurality of metal pipes  14 , which are each made of, for example, copper or aluminum and formed into a U-shape, are stacked. Further, in each of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked, a plurality of metal plates  15 , which are each made of, for example, aluminum and have holes for the plurality of metal pipes  14 , are formed at intervals. Each of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked is formed by subjecting the plurality of metal pipes  14  and the plurality of metal plates  15  to close-contact processing. 
     Further, each of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked is formed into such an L-shape that the short side portion  12  is continuous from the long side portion  11  through the corner portion  13 . The two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked have different heights, and have an L-shape having deviation in the air flow direction such as shape errors caused by manufacture variation. The deviation in the air flow direction is caused mainly due to manufacture variation, namely, a difference in bending R dimension caused at the time of a bending step. 
     In each of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked, the plurality of metal pipes  14  are connected to the connection pipes  3  of the outdoor unit  100  at the side edge portion  11   a  of the long side portion  11 . 
     In each of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked, the plurality of metal pipes  14  each make a U-turn at a side edge portion  12   a  of the short side portion  12  to form U-turn portions  16  at an end surface. 
     The heat exchanger  10  includes a first regulating part  30  regulating relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. 
     The heat exchanger  10  includes a second regulating part  40  regulating the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. 
     The heat exchanger  10  includes a third regulating part  50  regulating the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view for illustrating the first regulating part  30  in Embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first regulating part  30  regulates the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other by sandwiching the inflow-surface portions and the outflow-surface portions in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other in a range between a part of the long side portion  11  and a part of the corner portion  13  continuous from the long side portion  11 . The first regulating part  30  is held in contact with a part of the long side portion  11  and a part of the corner portion  13  continuous to the long side portion  11 . However, the first regulating part  30  is not held in contact with a part of the short side portion  12  and a part of the corner portion  13  continuous to the short side portion  12 . The first regulating part  30  is made of metal. 
     Two ribs  31  and  32  are formed on the first regulating part  30 . The two ribs  31  and  32  regulate the position of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, by sandwiching the inflow-surface portion and the outflow-surface portion in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. The two ribs  31  and  32  protrude upward from a base portion  33  located between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. A bent portion  32   a  is formed on the rib  32  held in contact with the outflow-surface portion. The bent portion  32   a  has an angle increased at an upper distal end of the rib  32  so that the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, can be smoothly inserted. 
     A plurality of drain water passage holes  34  are opened in the base portion  33  of the first regulating part  30 . The plurality of drain water passage holes  34  allow dew generated in the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, to flow downward as drain water. 
     Two ribs  35  and  36  are formed on the first regulating part  30 . The two ribs  35  and  36  regulate the position of the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, by sandwiching the inflow-surface portion and the outflow-surface portion in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit. The two ribs  35  and  36  protrude downward from the base portion  33  located between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. A bent portion  36   a  is formed on the rib  36  held in contact with the outflow-surface portion. The bent portion  36   a  has an angle increased at a lower distal end of the rib  36  so that the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, can be smoothly inserted. 
     The two ribs  31  and  35  held in contact with the inflow-surface portions are cut from a part of one plate. From the base portion  33 , the rib  31  is bent upward and the rib  35  is bent downward. A cut hole  31   a , which is opened when the rib  35  is cut out, is opened in the rib  31 . The two ribs  32  and  36  held in contact with the outflow-surface portions are cut from a part of the one plate. From the base portion, the rib  32  is bent upward and the rib  36  is bent downward. In this manner, the four ribs  31 ,  32 ,  35 , and  36  regulate the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other with a small amount of material. 
     The first regulating part  30  includes a projecting portion  37 . The projecting portion  37  is inserted between adjacent metal plates  15  of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit among the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. The projecting portion  37  is inserted between the metal plates  15  at the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. With this configuration, the projecting portion  37  prevents positional deviation of the first regulating part  30  in a lateral direction. Consequently, the first regulating part  30  is movable in a right-and-left direction that is a longitudinal direction of the long side portion  11  together with the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. 
     When a projecting portion is formed also for the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, there is a problem in that the plurality of metal plates  15  of the heat exchanger  10  are deformed due to impact from an outside, and that the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked are fixed with lateral deviation due to impact. As in Embodiment, the projecting portion  37  is provided only for the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. Thus, even when impact occurs, the first regulating part  30  is moved together with the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, but is not moved together with the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit. Consequently, deformation of the metal plates  15  can be prevented, the first regulating part  30  and the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, can be returned to original positions after the impact, and positional deviation in the right-and-left direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the long side portion  11 , can be thus prevented. 
     In Embodiment, the projecting portion is inserted between the adjacent metal plates of the upper heat exchanger unit. However, the projecting portion may be inserted between the adjacent metal plates of the lower heat exchanger unit, in place of the upper heat exchanger unit. 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view for illustrating a range of regulation by the first regulating part  30  in Embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first regulating part  30  has a start point  30   a  at a part of the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10  indicated by the hatched portion, and has an end point  30   b  at a position of a half of an R-curve of the corner portion  13  of the heat exchanger  10 . That is, the first regulating part  30  aligns the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other in a range between the start point  30   a  at a part of the long side portion  11  and the end point  30   b  at a position of the half of the corner portion  13  continuous from the long side portion  11 . As described above, the first regulating part  30  does not fix the entire region of the corner portion  13  of the heat exchanger  10  with the four ribs, and is provided in a range to a middle of the corner portion  13 . With this configuration, the difference in bending R dimension (manufacture variation) that is caused at the time of the bending step for the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  to be vertically stacked can be absorbed, and hence the deviation in the air flow direction can be made larger at the short side portion  12  than at the long side portion  11 . The short side portion  12  indicated by the broken line in  FIG. 5  indicates one of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  that is deviated in the air flow direction. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view for illustrating the second regulating part  40  in Embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the second regulating part  40  regulates the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other by sandwiching the inflow-surface portions and the outflow-surface portions in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other at the middle of the long side portions  11  of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. The second regulating part  40  is made of metal. 
     Two ribs  41  and  42  are formed on the second regulating part  40 . The two ribs  41  and  42  regulate the position of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, by sandwiching the inflow-surface portion and the outflow-surface portion in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. The two ribs  41  and  42  protrude upward from a base portion  43  located between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. A bent portion  42   a  is formed on the rib  42  held in contact with the outflow-surface portion. The bent portion  42   a  has an angle increased at an upper distal end of the rib  42  so that the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, can be smoothly inserted. 
     A plurality of drain water passage holes  44  are opened in the base portion  43  of the second regulating part  40 . The plurality of drain water passage holes  44  allow dew generated in the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, to flow downward as drain water. 
     Two ribs  45  and  46  are formed on the second regulating part  40 . The two ribs  45  and  46  regulate the position of the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, by sandwiching the inflow-surface portion and the outflow-surface portion in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit. The two ribs  45  and  46  protrude downward from the base portion  43  located between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. A bent portion  46   a  is formed on the rib  46  held in contact with the outflow-surface portion. The bent portion  46   a  has an angle increased at a lower distal end of the rib  46  so that the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, can be smoothly inserted. 
     The two ribs  41  and  45  held in contact with the inflow-surface portions are cut from a part of one plate. From the base portion  43 , the rib  41  is bent upward and the rib  45  is bent downward. A cut hole  41   a , which is opened when the rib  45  is cut out, is opened in the rib  41 . The two ribs  42  and  46  held in contact with the outflow-surface portions are cut from a part of the one plate. From the base portion  43 , the rib  42  is bent upward and the rib  46  is bent downward. A cut hole  46   b , which is opened when the rib  42  is cut out, is opened in the rib  46 . In this manner, the four ribs  41 ,  42 ,  45 , and  46  regulate the relative positions the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other with a small amount of material. 
     The second regulating part  40  includes projecting portions  47   a  and  47   b . The projecting portions  47   a  and  47   b  are each inserted between corresponding ones of adjacent metal plates  15  of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit among the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. The projecting portions  47   a  and  47   b  are each inserted between corresponding ones of the metal plates  15  at the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. With this configuration, the projecting portions  47   a  and  47   b  prevent positional deviation of the second regulating part  40  in a lateral direction. Consequently, the second regulating part  40  is movable in the right-and-left direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the long side portion  11 , together with the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. 
     When a projecting portion is formed also for the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, there is a problem in that the plurality of metal plates  15  of the heat exchanger  10  are deformed due to impact from an outside, and that the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked are fixed with lateral deviation due to impact. As in Embodiment, the projecting portions  47   a  and  47   b  are provided only for the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. Thus, even when impact occurs, the second regulating part  40  is moved together with the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, but is not moved together with the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit. Consequently, deformation of the metal plates  15  can be prevented, the second regulating part  40  and the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, can be returned to original positions after the impact, and positional deviation in the right-and-left direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the long side portion  11 , can be thus prevented. 
     In Embodiment, the projecting portions are each inserted between corresponding ones of the adjacent metal plates of the upper heat exchanger unit. However, the projecting portions may be inserted between the adjacent metal plates of the lower heat exchanger unit, in place of the upper heat exchanger unit. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view for illustrating the third regulating part  50  in Embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the third regulating part  50  regulates, in the up-and-down direction, the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other at the side edge portions  12   a  of the short side portions  12  of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other, and provides play that allows the deviation in the air flow direction. 
     The third regulating part  50  is made of resin to be easily deformed. The third regulating part  50  may be made of metal as long as the third regulating part  50  can provide play that allows the deviation in the air flow direction. 
     Three insertion holes  51 ,  52 , and  53  are opened at the upper portion of the third regulating part  50 . The three insertion holes  51 ,  52 , and  53  allow insertion of the U-turn portions  16  obtained by U-tuning the metal pipes  14  at the side edge portion  12   a  of the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit. Further, three insertion holes  54 ,  55 , and  56  are opened at the lower portion of the third regulating part  50 . The three insertion holes  54 ,  55 , and  56  allow insertion of the U-turn portions  16  obtained by U-tuning the metal pipes  14  at the side edge portion  12   a  of the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit. 
     These insertion holes  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  are each opened to have a vertical dimension that allows fitting of the U-turn portion  16 , and regulate, in the up-and-down direction, the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. Further, these insertion holes  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  are each opened to have a lateral dimension larger than that of the U-turn portion  16 , and provide play that allows the deviation in the air flow direction. 
     Claw portions  51   a ,  53   a ,  54   a , and  56   a  are formed in the insertion holes  51 ,  53 ,  54 , and  56  opened at the inflow-surface portions and the outflow-surface portions in the air flow direction. The claw portions  51   a ,  53   a ,  54   a , and  56   a  fix the U-turn portions  16  to some extent while allowing the deviation of the U-turn portions  16 , and are elastically deformed to prevent disengagement of the third regulating part  50 . The claw portions  51   a ,  53   a ,  54   a , and  56   a  are each provided along a right-and-left direction of a corresponding one of the U-turn portions  16 , and urge the U-turn portions  16  to such an extent that the third regulating part  50  is not disengaged form the U-turn portions  16 . The claw portion  51   a  is provided on each of the right and left of the insertion hole  51 , and the claw portion  54   a  is provided on each of the right and left of the insertion hole  54 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view for illustrating a state of the heat exchanger  10  to be mounted to the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back surface. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked are combined with each other while the side edge portions  11   a  of the long side portions  11  are aligned so that the plurality of metal pipes  14  can be connected to the connection pipes  3  at the side edge portions  11   a  of the long side portions  11 . Consequently, the first regulating part  30  and the second regulating part  40  align the relative positions of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked at the long side portions  11 . With this configuration, surfaces of the long side portions  11  of the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked are so flat that an uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction is small. 
     Meanwhile, the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked are not firmly fixed at the side edge portions  12   a  of the short side portions  12  that have the U-turn portions  16  of the metal pipes  14  with use of the third regulating part  50 , but have play that allows the deviation in the air flow direction so that the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, and the heat exchanger unit  10   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, are separately movable in the right-and-left direction. Further, the first regulating part  30  regulates the position of the heat exchanger  10  in a range between a part of the long side portion  11  and a part to the middle of the corner portion  13  continuous from the long side portion  11 . 
     With this configuration, when the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  are vertically stacked, an uneven surface  17  due to the deviation in the air flow direction that is caused by manufacture variation is larger at the short side portion  12  than at the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10 . In the heat exchanger  10 , the uneven surface  17  due to the deviation in the air flow direction is large at the short side portion  12 . 
     The uneven surface is due to the deviation in the air flow direction between the heat exchanger units that are vertically stacked. Thus, there is no problem even when an uneven surface directed downward is caused as in the case of the uneven surface  17  directed upward, which is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     The side surface of the outdoor unit  100  at which the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  having the uneven surface  17  is present is covered by the outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view for illustrating a state of a heat exchanger  210  to be mounted to an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus in the related art as viewed from a back surface. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the heat exchanger  210  is formed in such a manner that side edge portions  211   a  of long side portions  211  having connecting end portions of metal pipes to be connected to connection pipes accommodated in the outdoor unit are aligned and that side edge portions  212   a  of short side portions  212  having U-turn portions of the metal pipes are aligned. Consequently, in the heat exchanger  210 , an uneven surface  217  due to the deviation in the air flow direction is caused in the combined parts between a heat exchanger unit  210   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, and a heat exchanger unit  210   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, in a range from the long side portion  211  to a corner portion  213 . 
     In this case, when the long side portion  211  of the heat exchanger  210  is exposed to allow air to smoothly flow, an installation worker or a user can easily touch the uneven surface  217 . Consequently, there is a fear of occurrence of such a disadvantage that an installation worker or a user is injured due to the uneven surface  217 , or that clothes are caught to be damaged. When, for example, a net is provided on the back surface of the outdoor unit  100  as a measure against the disadvantage, an installation worker or a user cannot easily touch the heat exchanger  210 . However, the number of components is increased, which is uneconomical. 
     Further, a bending process for the heat exchanger unit  210   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit, and a bending process for the heat exchanger unit  210   b , which is the lower heat exchanger unit, are simultaneously performed on the same facility. Consequently, variation that occurs at the time of the bending process is equalized between the two heat exchanger units  210   a  and  210   b  vertically stacked, and the uneven surface  217  when the two heat exchanger units  210   a  and  210   b  are stacked can be thus prevented. However, in this case, the facility is increased in size, or a production site is limited. Thus, there is a problem in that production does not catch up with increase in production. 
     According to Embodiment, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes the heat exchanger  10  including the two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b . The two heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  are vertically stacked and each include the long side portion  11 , the short side portion  12 , and the corner portion  13  bent and connecting the long side portion  11  and the short side portion  12  to each other. In the heat exchanger  10 , the deviation in the air flow direction that lies between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other is larger at the short side portion  12  than at the long side portion  11 . 
     With this configuration, bending angles of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  are not adjusted at the time of assembly, and the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  can be assembled so that the deviation in the air flow direction that lies between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other is large at the short side portion  12 . Consequently, assembly efficiency can be improved through elimination of need for adjustment of the bending angles of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  at the time of assembly. Further, it is possible to prevent the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked at the part at which the long side portion  11  is placed, such as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 , at which an installation worker or a user can touch the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked. 
     Consequently, an installation worker or a user cannot easily touch the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked at the part at which the long side portion  11  is placed, such as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 , and safety can be thus improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked at the part at which an installation worker or a user can touch the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked and the long side portion  11  that is conspicuous on the outer appearance of the outdoor unit  100  is placed. Consequently, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus does not give a user a feeling of anxiety that a product defect occurs due to the conspicuous uneven surface. 
     According to Embodiment, in the heat exchanger  10 , the deviation in the air flow direction that lies between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other is larger at the short side portion  12  than at the long side portion  11  through alignment of the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other in a range between a part of the long side portion  11  and a part of the corner portion  13  continuous from the long side portion  11 . 
     With this configuration, in the heat exchanger  10 , the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other are aligned in the range between a part of the long side portion  11  and a part of the corner portion  13  continuous from the long side portion  11 , and the most deviation in the air flow direction at the long side portion  11  can be shifted to the deviation at the short side portion  12 . Consequently, the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  can be assembled so that the deviation in the air flow direction that lies between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other is large at the short side portion  12  without adjustment of the bending angles of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  at the time of assembly. 
     According to Embodiment, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus further includes the first regulating part  30  regulating the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. The first regulating part  30  regulates the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other by sandwiching inflow-surface portions and outflow-surface portions in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other in the range between a part of the long side portion  11  and a part of the corner portion  13  continuous from the long side portion  11 . 
     With this configuration, in the heat exchanger  10 , the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other are aligned in the range between a part of the long side portion  11  and a part of the corner portion  13  continuous from the long side portion  11  with use of the first regulating part  30 , and the most deviation in the air flow direction at the long side portion  11  can be shifted to the deviation at the short side portion  12 . 
     According to Embodiment, the first regulating part  30  allows the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other to relatively move in a longitudinal direction of the long side portion  11 . 
     With this configuration, the first regulating part  30  allows the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other to relatively move in the longitudinal direction of the long side portions  11 . Consequently, damage of the heat exchanger  10 , such as deformation, can be prevented. 
     According to Embodiment, the first regulating part  30  includes the projecting portion  37  inserted between the adjacent metal plates  15  of the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit among the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. 
     With this configuration, the first regulating part  30  can be moved together with the heat exchanger unit  10   a , which is the upper heat exchanger unit among the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b , with the projecting portion  37  inserted between the adjacent metal plates  15  of the heat exchanger unit  10   a . The first regulating part  30  can allow the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other to relatively move. 
     According to Embodiment, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus further includes the second regulating part  40  regulating the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. The second regulating part  40  regulates the relative positions the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other by sandwiching the inflow-surface portions and the outflow-surface portions in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other at the middle of the long side portions  11  of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. 
     With this configuration, in the heat exchanger  10 , the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other are aligned at the middle of the long side portions  11  with use of the second regulating part  40 , and the most deviation in the air flow direction at the long side portion  11  can be shifted. 
     The second regulating part  40  shifts the deviation in the air flow direction at the long side portion  11  to the deviation at the short side portion  12  together with the first regulating part  30 , that is, at the two parts, and the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction at the long side portion  11  can be thus prevented. 
     According to Embodiment, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus further includes the third regulating part  50  regulating the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. The third regulating part  50  regulates, in the up-and-down direction, the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other at the side edge portions  12   a  of the short side portions  12  of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other, and provides play that allows the deviation in the air flow direction. 
     With this configuration, in the heat exchanger  10 , the relative positions of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other can be regulated in the up-and-down direction at the side edge portions  12   a  of the short side portions  12  with use of the third regulating part  50 . Consequently, in the heat exchanger  10 , the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other are not spaced vertically at the side edge portions  12   a  of the short side portions  12 . Further, the third regulating part  50  can provide play that allows the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other. Consequently, in the heat exchanger  10 , positions of the side edge portions  12   a  of the short side portions  12  can be regulated in the up-and-down direction while the most deviation in the air flow direction that is shifted to the deviation at the short side portion  12  is maintained. 
     According to Embodiment, in the heat exchanger  10 , the long side portion  11  is exposed as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 . The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus further includes the casing  7 , which covers the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10 , and has the plurality of openings  7   a   1  that allow passage of air. 
     With this configuration, in the heat exchanger  10 , the long side portion  11  is exposed as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 . It is possible to prevent the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked at the long side portion  11  that is exposed as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100  at which an installation worker or a user can touch the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked. 
     Consequently, an installation worker or a user cannot easily touch the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked at the long side portion  11  that is exposed as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 , and safety can be thus improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the uneven surface due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked at the long side portion  11  at which an installation worker or a user can touch the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked and that is exposed as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 , which is conspicuous on the outer appearance of the outdoor unit  100 . Consequently, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus does not give a user a feeling of anxiety that a product defect occurs due to the conspicuous uneven surface on the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 . 
     Further, the casing  7  covers the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10 , and has the plurality of openings  7   a   1  that allow passage of air. Consequently, the deviation in the air flow direction or the uneven surface  17  due to the deviation that is large at the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is covered by the casing  7  to be hidden. Further, the plurality of openings  7   a   1  that allow passage of air are opened in the casing  7 , and decrease in efficiency of the heat exchanger  10  at the short side portion  12  can be thus prevented. 
     Consequently, the short side portion  12  at which the deviation in the air flow direction is large is covered by the casing  7 , and hence an installation worker or a user cannot easily touch the uneven surface  17  due to the deviation in the air flow direction of the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically stacked, and safety can be thus improved. Further, the short side portion  12  at which the deviation in the air flow direction is large is covered by the casing  7 , and hence the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus does not give a user a feeling of anxiety that a product defect occurs due to the conspicuous uneven surface  17  due to the deviation in the air flow direction. 
     According to Embodiment, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus includes the top plate  9 , which is placed over the casing  7 , and fixes the heat exchanger  10  by pressing the heat exchanger  10  downward. 
     With this configuration, the top plate  9  is placed over the casing  7 , and fixes the heat exchanger  10  by pressing the heat exchanger  10  downward. In this case, the top plate  9  can press downward the motor mounting base  5  of the heat exchanger  10  to which a flexible part such as insulation is bonded, sandwich the heat exchanger  10  together with the bottom plate  1 , and fix the heat exchanger  10 . Consequently, even when the deviation in the air flow direction that lies between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other is large at the short side portion  12 , the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is only pressed and fixed by the top plate  9 . Thus, the heat exchanger  10  can be firmly fixed under the state in which the deviation in the air flow direction is allowed. With this configuration, even when the position of the short side portion  12  is changed due to the deviation amount, the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is not required to be fixed to a set part with, for example, screws or a hooking part. Consequently, the number of components can be reduced, and assembly efficiency can be thus prevented. 
     According to Embodiment, the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  are each formed into such an L-shape that the short side portion  12  is continuous from the long side portion  11  through the corner portion  13 . The casing  7  includes the outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  that covers the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10 , and the outdoor-unit-front-surface portion  7   b  that is opposite to the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10  exposed as the back surface of the outdoor unit  100 . The outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus further includes the pillar portion  8  that forms an outdoor-unit-opposite-side-surface portion at a portion of the outdoor unit  100  opposite to the outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a  of the casing  7 . The side edge portion  11   a  of the long side portion  11  of the heat exchanger  10  is fixed to the pillar portion  8 . The top plate  9  is placed over the casing  7  and the pillar portion  8 , and fixes the heat exchanger  10  by pressing the heat exchanger  10  downward. 
     With this configuration, in the heat exchanger  10  including the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  each formed into an L-shape, the side edge portions  11   a  of the long side portions  11 , at which the deviation in the air flow direction is adjusted to align positions of the end portions of the side edge portions  11   a , are fixed to the pillar portion  8 . Further, the top plate  9  is placed over the casing  7  and the pillar portion  8 , and fixes the heat exchanger  10  by pressing the heat exchanger  10  downward. In this case, the top plate  9  can press downward the motor mounting base  5  of the heat exchanger  10  to which a flexible part such as insulation is bonded, sandwich the heat exchanger  10  together with the bottom plate  1 , and fix the heat exchanger  10 . Consequently, even when the deviation in the air flow direction that lies between the heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  vertically adjacent to each other is large at the short side portion  12 , the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is only pressed and fixed by the top plate  9 . Thus, the heat exchanger  10  can be firmly fixed under the state in which the deviation in the air flow direction is allowed. With this configuration, even when the position of the short side portion  12  is changed due to the deviation amount, the short side portion  12  of the heat exchanger  10  is not required to be fixed to a set part with, for example, screws or a hooking part. Consequently, the number of components can be reduced, and assembly efficiency can be thus improved. 
     Further, a flexible part made of a flexible material such as insulation is bonded to the top surface of the motor mounting base  5 , and the motor mounting base  5  is held in contact with the top plate  9 . With this configuration, the outdoor unit  100  for an air-conditioning apparatus can prevent the contact noise between the motor mounting base  5  and the top plate  9  that is generated due to vibration during an operation. 
     The heat exchanger units  10   a  and  10   b  are each formed into such an L-shape that the short side portion  12  is continuous from the long side portion  11  through the corner portion  13 . However, the present invention is applicable also when the heat exchanger units are each formed into such a U-shape that short side portions are each provided on a corresponding one of both sides of the long side portion. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  bottom plate  2  compressor  3  connection pipe  4  fan  5  motor mounting base  6  controller  7  casing  7   a  outdoor-unit-side-surface portion  7   a   1  opening  7   b  outdoor-unit-front-surface portion  7   b   1  air outlet  8  pillar portion  9  top plate  10  heat exchanger  10   a  heat exchanger unit  10   b  heat exchanger unit  11  long side portion  11   a  side edge portion  12  short side portion  12   a  side edge portion  13  corner portion  14  metal pipe  15  metal plate  16  U-turn portion  17  uneven surface  20   a  screw  20   b  screw  30  first regulating part  30   a  start point  30   b  end point  31  rib  31   a  cut hole  32  rib  32   a  bent portion  33  base portion  34  drain water passage hole  35  rib  36  rib  36   a  bent portion  37  projecting portion  40  second regulating part  41  rib  41   a  cut hole  42  rib 
               42   a  bent portion  43  base portion  44  drain water passage hole  45  rib 
               46  rib  46   a  bent portion  46   b  cut hole  47   a  projecting portion 
               47   b  projecting portion  50  third regulating part  51  insertion hole  51   a  claw portion  52  insertion hole  53  insertion hole  53   a  claw portion  54  insertion hole  54   a  claw portion  55  insertion hole  56  insertion hole  56   a  claw portion 
               100  outdoor unit  210  heat exchanger  210   a  heat exchanger unit 
               210   b  heat exchanger unit  211  long side portion  211   a  side edge portion  212  short side portion  212   a  side edge portion  213  corner portion 
               217  uneven surface