Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a ventilation device to be installed outdoors. This ventilation device includes an exhaust fan, an air supply fan, a heat exchanger, and a casing accommodating these components. The casing includes a lower stage portion where the exhaust fan is placed, an upper stage portion where the air supply fan is placed, and a middle stage portion where the heat exchanger is placed. The casing has an exhaust air port bored in its front surface and located at the lower stage portion, a return air opening and a supply air opening each bored in its rear surface and located at the upper stage portion, and outside air ports respectively bored in its left and right side surfaces and located at the middle stage portion.

According to the ventilation device disclosed in <CIT>, when the air supply fan operates, outdoor air flows into the casing through the outside air port, and then flows through the heat exchanger. The air is then guided indoors through the supply air opening. When the exhaust fan operates, indoor air flows into the casing through the return air opening, and then flows through the heat exchanger. The air is then discharged outdoors through the exhaust air port. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange between the outdoor air and the indoor air to suppress indoor temperature changes owing to the air to be supplied indoors. Further, <CIT> is concerned with a heat exchange ventilator.

The heat exchanger of the ventilation device is contaminated or deteriorated due to air flowing therethrough. Therefore, the heat exchanger needs to be extracted from the casing for periodical maintenance or replacement. In the casing of the ventilation device, electric wires are routed. Therefore, it is necessary to route the electric wires so as not to hinder the extraction of the heat exchanger. In the ventilation device disclosed in <CIT>, however, no consideration is given to the extraction of the heat exchanger and the routing of the electric wires.

An object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation device that enables extraction of a heat exchanger from a casing without hindrance of an electric wire routed in the casing.

The ventilation device having this configuration enables extraction of the heat exchanger from the casing without hindrance of the electric wire routed in the casing.

It should be noted that "the projection region" of the heat exchanger is synonymous with a spatial region where the heat exchanger passes when the heat exchanger is extracted from the casing.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the casing includes a first side plate detachable from the casing, and
the casing has an opening through which the heat exchanger is extracted from the casing, the opening being formed when the first side plate is detached from the casing.

According to this configuration, the heat exchanger can be extracted from the casing in such a manner that the first side plate is detached from the casing.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the casing further includes a second side plate adjacent to the first side plate, and
the second side plate defines, inside the casing, a recess extending in an up-and-down direction and accommodating the electric wire.

According to this configuration, the electric wire accommodated in the recess is less likely to hinder extraction of the heat exchanger from the casing.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the casing further includes a second side plate adjacent to the first side plate, and
the first side plate and the second side plate define a closed space at a joint portion between the first side plate and the second side plate in a cross section of the casing.

According to this configuration, even when water intrudes into the casing through the joint portion between the first side plate and the second side plate, the water can be retained in the closed space. This configuration thus suppresses adhesion of water to the electric component unit and electric wires in the casing. It should be noted that "the cross section" of the casing refers to a section of the casing cut horizontally.

(<NUM>) Preferably, one of the first side plate and the second side plate has an end bent into the closed space to come in surface contact with a plate surface of a remaining one of the first side plate and the second side plate, in the cross section of the casing.

This configuration suppresses intrusion of water into the closed space through the joint portion between the first side plate and the second side plate.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the fixing member passes through the second side plate, and
the fixing member has a first end located in the closed space and a second end located in the casing.

This configuration suppresses intrusion of water into the casing through a portion through which the fixing member passes.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the first side plate has the lead-out port,.

According to this configuration, the electric wire can be pulled out through the open peripheral edge of the lead-out port in detaching the first side plate from the casing. In addition, the electric wire can be fixed to the casing with the support even in the state in which the first side plate is detached from the casing.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a ventilation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description, the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", and "right" are indicated by arrows illustrated in <FIG> in conjunction with these terms. Particularly in <FIG>, a first direction indicated by an arrow X is defined as a left-and-right direction, a second direction indicated by an arrow Y is defined as a front-and-rear direction, and a third direction indicated by an arrow Z is defined as an up-and-down direction. However, these definitions are merely exemplary. For example, the first direction X may be regarded as the front-and-rear direction and the second direction Y may be regarded as the left-and-right direction.

The ventilation device <NUM> is configured to exchange air in a building (i.e., air in a room) with air outside the building (i.e., air outside the room), thereby providing ventilation of air in the building. The ventilation device <NUM> is installed outside the building. The ventilation device <NUM> is connected to the inside of the building with two ducts D. The ventilation device <NUM> includes a main casing (a first casing) <NUM> having a rectangular parallelepiped box shape. The ventilation device <NUM> according to this embodiment includes an auxiliary casing <NUM> (to be described later) in addition to the main casing <NUM>.

The main casing <NUM> includes a bottom plate 2e, a top plate 2f, a right side plate 2a, a left side plate 2b, a front side plate 2c, and a rear side plate 2d. The bottom plate 2e and the top plate 2f each have a rectangular shape in plan view and are opposite to each other with a spacing in between in the up-and-down direction. The right side plate 2a, the left side plate 2b, the front side plate 2c, and the rear side plate 2d connect the four sides of the bottom plate 2e and the four sides of the top plate 2f, respectively.

The top plate 2f of the main casing <NUM> has a main return air intake port (a second return air intake port) <NUM> and a main air supply port (a second air supply port) <NUM>. A tubular body 3a and a tubular body 4a are respectively mounted to the main return air intake port <NUM> and the main air supply port <NUM>. The tubular bodies 3a and 4a are respectively connected to one ends of the ducts D. The other ends of the ducts D are connected to the inside of the building. That is, the main return air intake port <NUM> and the main air supply port <NUM> communicate with the inside of the building via the ducts D.

The bottom plate 2e of the main casing <NUM> is provided with a pair of legs <NUM>. The ventilation device <NUM> is installed outside the building in such a manner that the ventilation device <NUM> is fastened using bolts or the like with the legs <NUM> mounted on the ground. The ventilation device <NUM> is not necessarily placed on the ground. For example, the ventilation device <NUM> may be placed on a pedestal mounted to, for example, an outer wall of the building or the roof of the building.

The right side plate 2a of the main casing <NUM> has a main outside air intake port (a second outside air intake port) <NUM>. The left side plate 2b of the main casing <NUM> has a main exhaust port (a second exhaust port) <NUM>.

The main casing <NUM> accommodates a ventilation device main body <NUM>. The ventilation device main body <NUM> according to this embodiment is a known ventilation device designed to be installed in an attic or hung on a wall surface in a building. The ventilation device <NUM> according to the present invention is designed to be installed outdoors in such a manner that a ventilation device designed to be installed indoors is accommodated in the main casing <NUM>. Ventilation devices designed to be installed indoors are not exposed to rain unlike ventilation devices designed to be installed outdoors; therefore, due consideration concerning waterproofness is not given to the ventilation devices designed to be installed indoors. In view of this, the ventilation device <NUM> according to the present invention is installable outdoors in such a manner that a ventilation device designed to be installed indoors is accommodated in the main casing <NUM> excellent in waterproofness. As a matter of course, the ventilation device <NUM> according to the present invention may employ a ventilation device designed to be installed only outdoors, rather than the ventilation device designed to be installed indoors.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the ventilation device main body.

The ventilation device main body <NUM> includes an auxiliary casing (a second casing) <NUM> having a rectangular parallelepiped box shape. The auxiliary casing <NUM> substantially has an accommodation space S for accommodating an air supply fan <NUM>, an exhaust fan <NUM>, and a total heat exchanger <NUM>, which will be described later (see <FIG>). The auxiliary casing <NUM> includes a bottom plate 13e, a top plate 13f, a right side plate 13a, a left side plate 13b, a front side plate 13c, and a rear side plate 13d. The bottom plate 13e and the top plate 13f each have a rectangular shape in plan view and are opposite to each other with a spacing in between in the up-and-down direction. The right side plate 13a, the left side plate 13b, the front side plate 13c, and the rear side plate 13d connect the four sides of the bottom plate 13e and the four sides of the top plate 13f, respectively.

An electric component unit <NUM> is mounted to an upper portion of the right side plate 13a. The electric component unit <NUM> includes a box 27a and electric components, such as a control board and a terminal block, accommodated in the box 27a. The electric component unit <NUM> may alternatively be mounted to one of the other side plates 13b, 13c, and 13d.

The top plate 13f of the auxiliary casing <NUM> has an auxiliary return air intake port (a first return air intake port) <NUM> and an auxiliary air supply port (a first air supply port) <NUM>. A tubular body 14a and a tubular body 17a are respectively mounted to the auxiliary return air intake port <NUM> and the auxiliary air supply port <NUM>.

The bottom plate 13e of the auxiliary casing <NUM> serves as a partition defining a lower end of the accommodation space S for accommodating the air supply fan <NUM>, the exhaust fan <NUM>, and the total heat exchanger <NUM>. The bottom plate 13e of the auxiliary casing <NUM> has an auxiliary outside air intake port (a first outside air intake port) <NUM> and an auxiliary exhaust port (a first exhaust port) <NUM>. A tubular body 15a is mounted to the auxiliary exhaust port <NUM>. However, the tubular body 15a is not necessarily mounted to the auxiliary exhaust port <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view schematically illustrating the inside of the ventilation device. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line A-A in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line B-B in <FIG>.

The tubular bodies 14a and 17a mounted to the top plate 13f of the auxiliary casing <NUM> have distal ends respectively communicating with the main return air intake port <NUM> and main air supply port <NUM> in the main casing <NUM>. Since the electric component unit <NUM> is mounted to the right side plate 13a of the auxiliary casing <NUM>, a spacing T between the right side plate 13a and the right side plate 2a of the main casing <NUM> is wider than spacings between the other side plates of the auxiliary casing <NUM> and the corresponding side plates of the main casing <NUM>. This spacing T may alternatively be secured between one of the other side plates of the auxiliary casing <NUM> and the corresponding one of the other side plates of the main casing <NUM>.

A waterproof panel <NUM> is mounted to a lower surface of the bottom plate 13e of the auxiliary casing <NUM>. The waterproof panel <NUM> is formed of, for example, a metal plate member covered with a waterproof coating or subjected to surface treatment for waterproofness, to impart waterproofness to the lower surface of the bottom plate 13e. The waterproof panel <NUM> covers the entire lower surface of the bottom plate 13e. The waterproof panel <NUM> has an opening 21a communicating with the auxiliary outside air intake port <NUM> and an opening 21b communicating with the auxiliary exhaust port <NUM>. The waterproof panel <NUM> includes an extended portion 21c extending from the bottom plate 13e to the right side plate 2a of the main casing <NUM>. The extended portion 21c is located in the spacing T. The extended portion 21c extends upward beyond the bottom plate 13e and reaches the right side plate 2a at a position higher than the bottom plate 13e.

The waterproof panel <NUM> has a length in the front-and-rear direction substantially equal to a distance between the front side plate 2c and the rear side plate 2d of the main casing <NUM> in the front-and-rear direction. The waterproof panel <NUM> has a length in the left-and-right direction substantially equal to a distance between the right side plate 2a and the left side plate 2b of the main casing <NUM> in the left-and-right direction. The waterproof panel <NUM> separates the space defined by the right side plate 2a, the left side plate 2b, the front side plate 2c, and the rear side plate 2d into two in the up-and-down direction, and suppresses intrusion of water from the space below the waterproof panel <NUM> into the space above the waterproof panel <NUM>. The waterproof panel <NUM> may be constituted of a single member or may be constituted of a combination of multiple members.

The main casing <NUM> has an outside air intake chamber <NUM> and an exhaust chamber <NUM> each defined between the bottom plate (the partition) 13e of the auxiliary casing <NUM> and the bottom plate 2e of the main casing <NUM>. The outside air intake chamber <NUM> communicates with the main outside air intake port <NUM> and the auxiliary outside air intake port <NUM>. The exhaust chamber <NUM> communicates with the main exhaust port <NUM> and the auxiliary exhaust port <NUM>. The waterproof panel <NUM> defines an upper end of the outside air intake chamber <NUM>. Therefore, the waterproof panel <NUM> also serves as a partition in this respect. The waterproof panel <NUM> is capable of suppressing adhesion, to the auxiliary casing <NUM>, water intruding into the outside air intake chamber <NUM> through the outside air intake port <NUM>.

The outside air intake chamber <NUM> and the exhaust chamber <NUM> are defined by a divider <NUM> in the left-and-right direction. The divider <NUM> is placed with a slight clearance between the divider <NUM> and bottom plate 2e of the main casing <NUM>. This clearance permits flow of water on the bottom plate 2e from the outside air intake chamber <NUM> to the exhaust chamber <NUM> and vice versa.

The main return air intake port <NUM> in the main casing <NUM> is used for taking air in the building (i.e., return air RA from the building) in the main casing <NUM>. The auxiliary return air intake port <NUM> in the auxiliary casing <NUM> is used for taking the return air RA from the building in the auxiliary casing <NUM>. The main exhaust port <NUM>, exhaust chamber <NUM>, and auxiliary exhaust port <NUM> are used for discharging the return air RA in the main casing <NUM> and auxiliary casing <NUM> outdoors as exhaust air EA. The main outside air intake port <NUM>, outside air intake chamber <NUM>, and auxiliary outside air intake port <NUM> are used for taking air outside the building (i.e., outside air OA) in the main casing <NUM> and auxiliary casing <NUM>. The main air supply port <NUM> and auxiliary air supply port <NUM> are used for supplying the outside air OA in the main casing <NUM> and auxiliary casing <NUM>, indoors as supply air SA.

The main outside air intake port <NUM> extends upward beyond the partition 13e, from a range below the partition 13e in the right side plate 2a. The waterproof panel <NUM> extends from the lower surface of the partition 13e to a position above an upper end of the main outside air intake port <NUM>. On the other hand, the main exhaust port <NUM> is defined in a range below the partition 13e in the left side plate 2b. Therefore, the main exhaust port <NUM> is smaller in area than the main outside air intake port <NUM>. It should be noted that the main exhaust port <NUM> may extend upward beyond the partition 13e, from the range below the partition 13e, as in the main outside air intake port <NUM>. Conversely, the main outside air intake port <NUM> may be defined only in the range below the partition 13e. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the main outside air intake port <NUM> is covered with a protective net <NUM>, and the main exhaust port <NUM> may be covered with a protective net <NUM>. The main outside air intake port <NUM> is further covered with a filter <NUM>.

The bottom plate 2e of the main casing <NUM> has a drain port <NUM>. The drain port <NUM> is located in the exhaust chamber <NUM>. The bottom plate 2e is tilted such that the drain port <NUM> becomes lowest in position. As a result, water on the bottom plate 2e flows toward the drain port <NUM> and then flows out of the main casing <NUM> through the drain port <NUM>.

The total heat exchanger <NUM>, the air supply fan <NUM>, and the exhaust fan <NUM> are placed in the auxiliary casing <NUM>. In the main casing <NUM> and auxiliary casing <NUM>, return air RA taken in the main casing <NUM> and auxiliary casing <NUM> through the main return air intake port <NUM> and auxiliary return air intake port <NUM> flows through the total heat exchanger <NUM> and then flows out of the auxiliary casing <NUM> through the auxiliary exhaust port <NUM>, exhaust chamber <NUM>, and main exhaust port <NUM>, as exhaust air EA. Hereinafter, this flow of air is also referred to as "a first air flow F1". Outside air OA taken in the main casing <NUM> and auxiliary casing <NUM> through the main outside air intake port <NUM>, outside air intake chamber <NUM>, and auxiliary outside air intake port <NUM> flows through the total heat exchanger <NUM> and then flows into the building through the auxiliary air supply port <NUM> and main air supply port <NUM>, as supply air SA. Hereinafter, this flow of air is also referred to as "a second air flow F2".

<FIG> is a perspective view of the total heat exchanger.

The total heat exchanger <NUM> according to this embodiment is an orthogonal total heat exchanger through which the first air flow F1 and the second air flow F2 pass substantially orthogonally. The total heat exchanger <NUM> includes dividers 41a and diaphragms 41b. The dividers 41a and the diaphragms 41b are stacked alternately and bonded together with an appropriate adhesive. The total heat exchanger <NUM> has a substantially quadrangular prism shape as a whole.

The dividers 41a each possess heat conductivity and moisture permeability and have a flat plate shape. The dividers 41a each possess a property that allows transmission of a refrigerant.

The diaphragms 41b each have a corrugated shape made up of consecutive substantially triangular sections. Each diaphragm 41b forms an air passage between adjacent two of the dividers 41a. The diaphragms 41b are stacked with their angles changed <NUM> degrees one by one in the direction along which the dividers 41a and diaphragms 41b are stacked. As a result, an exhaust air-side passage 41c through which the first air flow F1 passes and a supply air-side passage 41d through which the second air flow F2 passes are defined orthogonally with one divider 41a sandwiched therebetween. Each divider 41a possessing heat conductivity and moisture permeability performs exchange between sensible heat and latent heat (i.e., total heat exchange) on air flowing through the exhaust air-side passage 41c and air flowing through the supply air-side passage 41d.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the total heat exchanger <NUM> divides the inside of the auxiliary casing <NUM> into an indoor-side region (an upper side in the auxiliary casing <NUM>) and an outdoor-side region (a lower side in the auxiliary casing <NUM>). As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the auxiliary casing <NUM>, an upstream-side exhaust air path 46a is formed upstream of the total heat exchanger <NUM> in the first air flow F1, and a downstream-side exhaust air path 46b is formed downstream of the total heat exchanger <NUM> in the first air flow F1. The upstream-side exhaust air path 46a and the downstream-side exhaust air path 46b form an exhaust air path <NUM> that causes the inside of the building and the outside of the building to communicate with each other via the total heat exchanger <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the auxiliary casing <NUM>, an upstream-side supply air path 47a is formed upstream of the total heat exchanger <NUM> in the second air flow F2, and a downstream-side supply air path 47b is formed downstream of the total heat exchanger <NUM> in the second air flow F2. The upstream-side supply air path 47a and the downstream-side supply air path 47b form a supply air path <NUM> that causes the inside of the building and the outside of the building to communicate with each other via the total heat exchanger <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a partition wall <NUM> is disposed between the upstream-side exhaust air path 46a and the downstream-side supply air path 47b. A partition wall <NUM> is disposed between the downstream-side exhaust air path 46b and the upstream-side supply air path 47a.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the exhaust fan <NUM> is placed near the auxiliary exhaust port <NUM> on the downstream-side exhaust air path 46b. The exhaust fan <NUM>, when being driven, generates the first air flow F1, so that return air RA from the building flows through the exhaust air path <NUM> and then flows outdoors as exhaust air EA.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the air supply fan <NUM> is placed near the auxiliary air supply port <NUM> on the downstream-side supply air path 47b. The air supply fan <NUM>, when being driven, generates the second air flow F2, so that outside air OA outside the building flows through the supply air path <NUM> and then flows indoors as supply air SA.

A ventilating operation is carried out when the exhaust fan <NUM> and the air supply fan <NUM> are driven. Ventilation of air in the building is thus provided in such a manner that return air RA from the building is discharged from the building while outside air OA outside the building is supplied into the building. In addition, variations in temperature and humidity in the building are suppressed in such a manner that the total heat exchanger <NUM> performs exchange between sensible heat and latent heat on the return air RA from the building and the outside air OA outside the building.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the total heat exchanger <NUM> is extractable sideward (i.e., in a direction indicated by a white arrow) from the auxiliary casing <NUM>. The total heat exchanger <NUM> according to this embodiment includes a portion 41e protruding from the right side plate 13a, and this portion 41e is provided with a handle 41f. A worker grips the handle 41f and pulls the total heat exchanger <NUM> rightward (i.e., in the direction indicated by the white arrow), thereby extracting the total heat exchanger <NUM> from the auxiliary casing <NUM>. In <FIG>, reference sign K denotes a projection region of the total heat exchanger <NUM> extracted sideward, that is, a spatial region where the total heat exchanger <NUM> passes when the total heat exchanger <NUM> is extracted from the auxiliary casing <NUM>. The electric component unit <NUM> is disposed above the projection region K of the total heat exchanger <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the ventilation device from which a side plate is detached.

In the ventilation device <NUM> according to this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the right side surface of the main casing <NUM> is opened when the right side plate 2a is detached from the main casing <NUM>. Therefore, the total heat exchanger <NUM> can be extracted sideward from the auxiliary casing <NUM> and main casing <NUM> through this opening. Since the total heat exchanger <NUM> is extractable from the auxiliary casing <NUM> and the main casing <NUM>, the total heat exchanger <NUM> can be maintained or replaced with a new one with ease. When the right side plate 2a of the main casing <NUM> is detached, the electric component unit <NUM> is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the electric component unit <NUM> can be operated or maintained with ease.

<FIG> are sectional views of the main outside air intake port and its surroundings.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the protective net <NUM> is attached to the main outside air intake port <NUM>. The protective net <NUM> includes a frame member 24a having a quadrilateral shape and a net member 24b provided inside the frame member 24a. The protective net <NUM> is provided with the filter <NUM>. The frame member 24a of the protective net <NUM> has guide grooves 24c into which front and rear end edges of the filter <NUM> can be inserted in the up-and-down direction.

The frame member 24a has a lower end mounted to the main casing <NUM> so as to be swingable on a pivot 24d in the left-and-right direction. The frame member 24a has an upper end fixed to the right side plate 2a with a fixing member 24e. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fixing of the frame member 24a with the fixing member 24e is released, and the frame member 24a is swung rightward, so that upper ends of the guide grooves 24c are exposed to the outside of the main casing <NUM>. The swinging motion of the frame member 24a is restricted with a stopper 24f of the frame member 24a abutting against the right side plate 2a. The filter <NUM> can be attached to and detached from the guide grooves 24c in this state.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view (a horizontal sectional view) of the casing and illustrates a route of a wire led out of the electric component unit.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the electric component unit <NUM> has, in its upper portion, an opening 28a through which an electric wire 29a connected to an electric component in the box 27a is led out of the electric component unit <NUM>, and an opening 28b through which an electric wire 29b connected to an electric component in the box 27a is led out of the electric component unit <NUM>. The electric wire 29a is for low voltage and is used for signal transmission, for example. The electric wire 29a is taken out of the box through the opening 28a. The electric wire 29b is for high voltage and is used for power supply, for example. The electric wire 29b is taken out of the box 27a through the opening 28b.

The electric wires 29a and 29b connected to the electric component unit <NUM> are routed downward in the main casing <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the electric wires 29a and 29b are led out of the main casing <NUM> through a lower end of the right side plate 2a. The electric component unit <NUM> is placed at an upper side in the main casing <NUM> since the electric component unit <NUM> can be operated or maintained with ease with the right side plate 2a detached from the main casing <NUM>. The electric wires 29a and 29b are led out of the main casing <NUM> through the lower end because of the following reason. If the electric wires 29a and 29b are led out of the main casing <NUM> through an upper side of the main casing <NUM>, rainwater and the like may intrude into the main casing <NUM> along the electric wires 29a and 29b to affect the electric components in the electric component unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electric wires 29a and 29b are fixed to the main casing <NUM> with fixing members <NUM> and <NUM> disposed in the main casing <NUM>. In the main casing <NUM>, specifically, the front and rear side plates 2c and 2d are respectively provided with the fixing members <NUM> and <NUM> that are spaced away from each other in the up-and-down direction. The electric wires 29a and 29b are respectively fixed to the fixing members <NUM> and <NUM> with, for example, fasteners <NUM> and <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electric wires 29a and 29b are respectively mounted to the front and rear side plates 2c and 2d with the fixing members <NUM> and <NUM> at positions above the waterproof panel <NUM>. At the waterproof panel <NUM>, the electric wires 29a and 29b are respectively led into the outside air intake chamber <NUM> through openings 30a and 30b bored in the waterproof panel <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the electric wires 29a and 29b are then respectively led out of the main casing <NUM> through lead-out ports 31a and 31b bored in the right side plate 2a. The lead-out ports 31a and 31b are located below the projection region K (see <FIG>) of the extracted total heat exchanger <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the lead-out ports 31a and 31b each have a peripheral edge that is open downward at a lower edge of the right side plate 2a. Therefore, when the right side plate 2a is detached from the main casing <NUM>, the electric wires 29a and 29b can be respectively pulled out through the lead-out ports 31a and 31b.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a lower side of the casing.

The main casing <NUM> includes a support <NUM> disposed near the lead-out ports 31a and 31b (see <FIG>) and supporting the electric wires 29a and 29b. The support <NUM> has a plate shape and is fixed to each of the front and rear side plates 2c and 2d of the main casing <NUM> or a member mounted to each of the front and rear side plates 2c and 2d. The support <NUM> has two openings 32a and 32b through which the electric wires 29a and 29b respectively pass. Therefore, even after the right side plate 2a is detached from the main casing <NUM>, the electric wires 29a and 29b are still supported by the support <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a portion C in <FIG>.

In the main casing <NUM>, the right side plate 2a and the rear side plate 2d define a closed space Sc at a joint portion between the right side plate 2a and the rear side plate 2d. Specifically, the right side plate 2a includes a first flat plate portion 33a having a flat plate shape, and first and second bent portions 33b and 33c each located on a rear end of the first flat plate portion 33a. The first bent portion 33b is bent leftward from the rear end of the first flat plate portion 33a. The second bent portion 33c is bent frontward from a left end of the first bent portion 33b.

The rear side plate 2d of the main casing <NUM> includes a second flat plate portion 34a having a flat plate shape, and third to seventh bent portions 34b to 34f each located on a right end of the second flat plate portion 34a. The third bent portion 34b is bent diagonally rearward to the right from the right end of the second flat plate portion 34a. The fourth bent portion 34c is bent rightward from a right end of the third bent portion 34b. The fifth bent portion 34d is bent frontward from a right end of the fourth bent portion 34c. The sixth bent portion 34e is bent rightward from a front end of the fifth bent portion 34d. The seventh bent portion 34f is bent rearward from a right end of the sixth bent portion 34e.

The second bent portion 33c of the right side plate 2a is in surface contact with the fifth bent portion 34d of the rear side plate 2d. Likewise, the first flat plate portion 33a of the right side plate 2a is in surface contact with the seventh bent portion 34f of the rear side plate 2d. The first flat plate portion 33a, the first bent portion 33b, the second bent portion 33c, the fifth bent portion 34d, the sixth bent portion 34e, and the seventh bent portion 34f thus define the closed space Sc having a quadrangle shape in a cross section. The closed space Sc extends from upper ends to lower ends of the right and rear side plates 2a and 2d. The closed space Sc has an upper end closed with the top plate 2f. The closed space Sc has a lower end open without being closed with the bottom plate 2e. The closed space Sc has a closed periphery that suppresses intrusion of water into the closed space Sc. Particularly since the second bent portion 33c of the right side plate 2a is in surface contact with the fifth bent portion 34d of the rear side plate 2d, water is less likely to intrude into the closed space Sc through an interface between the second bent portion 33c and the fifth bent portion 34d. Even if water intrudes into the closed space Sc through a gap between the second bent portion 33c and the fifth bent portion 34d, the closed space Sc of which the periphery is closed suppresses intrusion of the water into the main casing <NUM>. The water in the closed space Sc is discharged from the closed space Sc through the lower end of the closed space Sc.

The rear side plate 2d defines, at its right end and inside the main casing <NUM>, a recess <NUM> with the third bent portion 34b, the fourth bent portion 34c, and the fifth bent portion 34d. The electric wire 29a is placed in the recess <NUM>. Therefore, the electric wire 29a does not protrude inward (frontward) beyond an inner side of the second flat plate portion 34a of the rear side plate 2d.

One of the fixing members <NUM> and <NUM> is disposed on the fifth bent portion 34d of the rear side plate 2d. The fixing member <NUM> has a hole 36a bored in its first end, and the corresponding fastener <NUM> such as a tie band passes through the hole 36a. The fixing member <NUM> includes an insertion portion 36b located at its second end, and the insertion portion 36b is inserted in an opening 34d1 bored in the fifth bent portion 34d. The first end of the fixing member <NUM> is located in the main casing <NUM> (specifically, in the recess <NUM>). The second end of the fixing member <NUM> is located in the closed space Sc. Since the intrusion of water into the closed space Sc is suppressed as described above, intrusion of the water into the main casing <NUM> through the opening 34d1 in the fifth bent portion 34d is also suppressed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a closed space Sc similar to that described above is defined at a joint portion between the right side plate 2a and the front side plate 2c. The right side plate 2a includes, at its front end, a first flat plate portion and first and second bent portions that are respectively symmetrical with the first flat plate portion 33a and first and second bent portions 33b and 33c in the front-and-rear direction. The front side plate 2c includes, at its right end, a second flat plate portion and third to seventh bent portions that are respectively symmetrical with the second flat plate portion 34a and third to seventh bent portions 34b to 34f in the front-and-rear direction. The front side plate 2c defines, at its right end and inside the main casing <NUM>, a recess <NUM> that is symmetrical with the recess <NUM> defined by the rear side plate 2d, in the front-and-rear direction. The electric wire 29b fixed with the corresponding fixing member <NUM> is placed in the recess <NUM> defined by the front side plate 2c.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view (a horizontal sectional view) of the casing and illustrates a spatial region (i.e., the projection region) where the total heat exchanger extracted from the casing passes.

As described above, the worker detaches the right side plate 2a from the main casing <NUM>, grips the handle 41f, and pulls the total heat exchanger <NUM> in the direction indicated by the white arrow, thereby extracting the total heat exchanger <NUM> sideward from the auxiliary casing <NUM> and the main casing <NUM>. The electric wires 29a and 29b led out of the electric component unit <NUM> are respectively fixed to the front and rear side plates 2c and 2d of the main casing <NUM> with the fixing members <NUM> and <NUM> and are routed around the spatial region K where the total heat exchanger <NUM> passes. Therefore, the electric wires 29a and 29b do not hinder the extraction of the total heat exchanger <NUM>.

The electric wire 29a for low voltage is fixed to the rear side plate 2d of the main casing <NUM> while the electric wire 29b for high voltage is fixed to the front side plate 2c of the main casing <NUM>. As a result, the electric wire 29a for low voltage and the electric wire 29b for high voltage are routed with a spacing in between in the front-and-rear direction. Therefore, the electric wire 29b for low voltage is less susceptible to an influence of noise from the electric wire 29a for high voltage.

The main outside air intake port <NUM> may be bored in one of the left side plate 2b, front side plate 2c, and rear side plate 2d of the main casing <NUM>. The main exhaust port <NUM> may be bored in one of the right side plate 2a, front side plate 2c, and rear side plate 2d of the main casing <NUM>. The positional relationship between the main outside air intake port <NUM> and the main exhaust port <NUM> is not limited unless outside air and exhaust air are mixed together.

The ventilation device <NUM> does not necessarily include the auxiliary casing <NUM>. For example, the accommodation space S, the outside air intake chamber <NUM>, the exhaust chamber <NUM>, and the like may be defined in such a manner that the inside of the main casing <NUM> is divided by a partition.

The main casing <NUM> does not necessarily have the outside air intake chamber <NUM> and the exhaust chamber <NUM>.

In the foregoing embodiment, the total heat exchanger <NUM> is extractable rightward from the main casing <NUM>. The total heat exchanger <NUM> may alternatively be extractable leftward, frontward, or rearward. In this case, one of the side plates 2b to 2d is designed to be detachable from the main casing <NUM> so as to define an opening through which the total heat exchanger <NUM> is extractable. Also in this case, preferably, an end of the detachable one of the side plates 2b to 2d is designed to be identical in configuration with the end of the right side plate 2a, and ends of the side plates adjacent thereto are designed to be identical in configuration with the ends of the front and rear side plates 2c and 2d, so that a closed space Sc is defined by these ends. An opening through which the total heat exchanger <NUM> is extracted from the main casing <NUM> is not limited to the opening defined in such a manner that one of the side plates 2a to 2d is entirely detached from the main casing <NUM> as described in the foregoing embodiment. For example, such an opening may be bored in one of the side plates 2a to 2d.

Claim 1:
A ventilation device to be installed outdoors,
the ventilation device comprising:
a casing (<NUM>);
a heat exchanger (<NUM>) accommodated in the casing (<NUM>) and configured to perform heat exchange between outdoor air flowing indoors and indoor air flowing outdoors;
an electric component unit (<NUM>) accommodated in the casing (<NUM>); and
a fixing member (<NUM>) fixing, to the casing (<NUM>), an electric wire (29a, 29b) connected to the electric component unit (<NUM>),
wherein
the heat exchanger (<NUM>) is extractable sideward from the casing (<NUM>),
the electric component unit (<NUM>) is disposed above a projection region (K) of the heat exchanger (<NUM>) extracted from the casing (<NUM>),
the casing (<NUM>) has a lead-out port (31a, 31b) through which the electric wire (29a, 29b) is led out of the casing (<NUM>), the lead-out port (31a, 31b) located below the projection region (K), and
the fixing member (<NUM>) is disposed between the electric component unit (<NUM>) and the lead-out port (31a, 31b) to fix the electric wire (29a, 29b) routed around the projection region (K).