Patent Description:
For example, <CIT> discloses a heat exchanger fixing plate for fixing a heat exchanger in a casing of an indoor unit. The heat exchanger is fixed in the casing by inserting hairpin parts of a plurality of heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger into the heat exchanger fixing plate. The hairpin parts protruding from the heat exchanger fixing plate are each covered with an insertion part in a state of being inserted into the insertion part. Document <CIT> discloses another example of known device.

Incidentally, when vibration occurs in the heat transfer tube due to a flow of a refrigerant, maintenance is performed on the indoor unit, or the like, a force in a direction in which the heat transfer tube is inserted into the heat exchanger fixing plate may act from the hairpin part to the insertion part. In the technology described in <CIT>, the hairpin part of the heat transfer tube may collide with the insertion part.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an objective thereof is to provide a heat exchanger fixing plate, a heat exchanger, and an indoor unit in which collision of a heat transfer tube with a hairpin part can be suppressed.

In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention defines a heat exchanger as defined in claim <NUM>, comprising a heat exchanger main body including a heat transfer tube through which a refrigerant is flowed to an inside of a casing of an indoor unit, the heat transfer tube is formed of a plurality of straight tube parts extending in a width direction of the casing and a plurality of curved hairpin parts each connecting end portions of the straight tube parts adjacent to each other, the heat exchanger fixing plate includes: a fixing plate main body extending in a direction intersecting the width direction of the casing and having a plurality of insertion holes through which the hairpin parts are allowed to be inserted toward a first side in the width direction; and a cover which is installed on the fixing plate main body to cover the hairpin part protruding from the fixing plate main body toward a first side in the width direction and having a first through hole passing through an inner arc of the hairpin part.

Also, an indoor unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a casing, a fan accommodated in the casing and introducing air into the casing; and a heat exchanger accommodated in the casing, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between the air and the refrigerant.

According to the present invention, a heat exchanger and an indoor unit in which a collision of a heat transfer tube with a hairpin part can be suppressed can be provided.

Hereinafter, an indoor unit according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described on the basis of the drawings.

An indoor unit is a device provided indoors and conditioning indoor air by exchanging heat between a refrigerant that is exchanged with an outdoor unit provided outdoors and the indoor air. An air conditioner is constituted by an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. In the present embodiment, an example in which an air conditioner performs a cooling operation will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, a fan <NUM>, a heat exchanger <NUM> and a filter part <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> is constituted by a plurality of panels and is provided on a wall surface W in a room. The casing <NUM> forms an outer casing of the indoor unit <NUM> and defines a housing space R for accommodating devices of various types therein. The casing <NUM> has a mounting surface <NUM>, an upper surface <NUM>, a lower surface <NUM>, a front surface <NUM> and side surfaces.

The mounting surface <NUM> is a surface facing the wall surface W. The mounting surface <NUM> is fixed to the wall surface W in the room via mounting members or the like. In the present embodiment, a direction in which the wall surface W and the mounting surface <NUM> face each other is referred to as an "installation direction D1. " That is, the installation direction D1 is a direction perpendicular to the wall surface W. The mounting surface <NUM> has a rectangular shape when viewed in the installation direction D1.

In the present embodiment, "the installation direction D1" includes a first direction horizontally approaching the wall surface W and a second direction horizontally separating from the wall surface W.

The upper surface <NUM> faces upward in a vertical direction D2 and connected to an upper side edge of the mounting surface <NUM> in the vertical direction D2. A suction port for introducing indoor air into the housing space R is preferably formed on the upper surface <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> is curved downward in the vertical direction D2 as separating from the mounting surface <NUM> in the installation direction D1. The upper surface <NUM> has a rectangular shape when viewed above in the vertical direction D2.

The lower surface <NUM> faces downward in the vertical direction D2 and connected to a lower side edge of the mounting surface <NUM> in the vertical direction D2. A blowout port for discharging the air introduced from the upper surface <NUM> side is preferably formed on the lower surface <NUM>. The lower surface <NUM> in the present embodiment is curved upward in the vertical direction D2 as separating from the mounting surface <NUM> in the installation direction D1. The lower surface <NUM> has a rectangular shape when viewed below in the vertical direction D2.

The vertical direction D2 in the present embodiment is a direction being parallel to a direction of gravity. The "upward in the vertical direction D2" means a direction from the lower surface <NUM> toward the upper surface <NUM>. The "downward in the vertical direction D2" means a direction from the upper surface <NUM> toward the lower surface <NUM>, which is opposite to the upward in the vertical direction D2.

The front surface <NUM> is a surface located opposite to the mounting surface <NUM> in the installation direction D1 and extending so as to be parallel to the wall surface W. The front surface <NUM> is connected to front edges of the upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> in the installation direction D1. The front surface <NUM> has a rectangular shape when viewed in the installation direction D1.

Here, the mounting surface <NUM>, the upper surface <NUM>, the lower surface <NUM> and the front surface <NUM> have a width direction D3 perpendicular to the installation direction D1 and the vertical direction D2 as a longitudinal direction.

The side surfaces are a pair of surfaces that close a cylindrical space (housing space R), which extends in the width direction D3 and is formed by the mounting surface <NUM>, the upper surface <NUM>, the lower surface <NUM> and the front surface <NUM>, from a first side and a second side in the width direction D3. The side surfaces are connected over the end portions of all the mounting surface <NUM>, the upper surface <NUM>, the lower surface <NUM> and the front surface <NUM> on the first side and the second side in the width direction D3.

The fan <NUM> is a cross-flow fan extending in the width direction D3 in the housing space R and capable of introducing air into the casing <NUM>. The fan <NUM> rotates in the housing space R to suction indoor air from the suction port on the upper surface <NUM> side and blow out the suctioned air from the blowout port on the lower surface <NUM> side.

The heat exchanger <NUM> is provided to surround the fan <NUM> from an outer circumference in the housing space R. The heat exchanger <NUM> includes a heat exchanger main body <NUM> and a heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM>.

The heat exchanger main body <NUM> extends in the width direction D3 and exchanges heat between the air suctioned into the housing space R by the fan <NUM> and the refrigerant. The heat exchanger main body <NUM> includes a first heat exchange part <NUM>, a second heat exchange part <NUM>, a third heat exchange part <NUM>, a fourth heat exchange part <NUM> and a connection member.

The first heat exchange part <NUM> is placed in the housing space R so as to be above the fan <NUM> in the vertical direction D2 and closer to the mounting surface <NUM> than the fan <NUM> in the installation direction D1. The first heat exchange part <NUM> includes a fin group <NUM> and a heat transfer tube <NUM>.

The fin group <NUM> is formed by a plurality of flat plate-shaped fins 311a extending in a direction intersecting the width direction D3 and disposed at regular intervals in the width direction D3. The fins 311a are formed of a metal such as aluminum.

The heat transfer tube <NUM> is a tube formed of a metal such as copper through which the refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube <NUM> includes a plurality of straight tube parts 310a and a plurality of hairpin parts 310b.

The straight tube parts 310a are cylindrical tubes extending in the width direction D3. The straight tube parts 310a extend to penetrate the fins 311a, which are disposed in the width direction D3 in the fin group <NUM>, in the width direction D3.

The hairpin parts 310b are tubes each connecting end portions in the width direction D3 of the straight tube parts 310a adjacent to each other. The hairpin part 310b is a U-shaped bent tube that is curved so that a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the straight tube part 310a is turned by <NUM>°.

In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the heat transfer tube <NUM> includes <NUM> straight tube parts 310a and <NUM> hairpin parts 310b is an exemplary example. In <FIG>, only nine hairpin parts 310b of the first heat exchange part <NUM> disposed on a first side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 are illustrated. The remaining eight hairpin parts 310b are disposed on a second side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 to connect end portions of the adjacent straight tube parts 310a on a second side in the width direction D3 so that the refrigerant sequentially flows through the straight tube parts 310a.

The refrigerant that has flowed into one straight tube part 310a flows through the one straight tube part 310a in the width direction D3, and then flows into another straight tube part 310a adjacent thereto through the hairpin part 310b. This flow of the refrigerant is sequentially repeated, and thereby the refrigerant circulates through the straight tube parts 310a and the hairpin parts 310b of the heat transfer tube <NUM> in the first heat exchange part <NUM>. Cold heat of the refrigerant is conducted to the fins 311a of the first heat exchange part <NUM> via tube walls of the straight tube parts 310a.

The second heat exchange part <NUM> is placed in the housing space R so as to be above the fan <NUM> in the vertical direction D2 and further from the mounting surface <NUM> than the fan <NUM> in the installation direction D1. The second heat exchange part <NUM> includes a fin group <NUM> and a heat transfer tube <NUM>.

The fin group <NUM> is formed by a plurality of fins 321a extending in a direction intersecting the width direction D3 and disposed at regular intervals in the width direction D3. The fins 321a are formed of a metal such as aluminum.

The fin group <NUM> of the second heat exchange part <NUM> and the fin group <NUM> of the first heat exchange part <NUM> are integrally fixed by a connection member connecting them in the installation direction D1. The positional relationship between the first heat exchange part <NUM> and the second heat exchange part <NUM> is defined by the connection member.

The heat transfer tube <NUM> is a tube formed of a metal such as copper through which the refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube <NUM> includes a plurality of straight tube parts 320a and a plurality of hairpin parts 320b.

The straight tube parts 320a are cylindrical tubes extending in the width direction D3. The straight tube parts 320a extend to penetrate the fins 321a, which are disposed in the width direction D3 in the fin group <NUM>, in the width direction D3.

The hairpin parts 320b are tubes each connecting end portions in the width direction D3 of the straight tube parts 320a adjacent to each other. The hairpin part 320b is a U-shaped bent tube that is curved so that a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the straight tube part 320a is turned by <NUM>°.

In the present embodiment, as in the heat transfer tube <NUM> of the first heat exchange part <NUM>, a configuration in which the heat transfer tube <NUM> includes <NUM> straight tube parts 320a and <NUM> hairpin parts 320b is an exemplary example. In <FIG>, only nine hairpin parts 320b of the second heat exchange part <NUM> disposed on a first side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 are illustrated. The remaining eight hairpin parts 320b are disposed on a second side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 to connect end portions of the adjacent straight tube parts 320a on a second side in the width direction D3 so that the refrigerant sequentially flows through the straight tube parts 320a.

The refrigerant that has flowed into one straight tube part 320a flows through the one straight tube part 320a in the width direction D3, and then flows into another straight tube part 320a adjacent thereto through the hairpin part 320b. This flow of the refrigerant is sequentially repeated, and thereby the refrigerant circulates through the straight tube parts 320a and the hairpin parts 320b of the heat transfer tube <NUM> in the second heat exchange part <NUM>. Cold heat of the refrigerant is conducted to the fins 321a of the second heat exchange part <NUM> via tube walls of the straight tube parts 320a.

The third heat exchange part <NUM> is placed in the housing space R so as to be further from the mounting surface <NUM> than the fan <NUM> in the installation direction D1. The third heat exchange part <NUM> includes a fin group <NUM> and a heat transfer tube <NUM>.

The fin group <NUM> is formed by a plurality of fins 331a extending in a direction intersecting the width direction D3 and disposed at regular intervals in the width direction D3. The fins 331a are formed of a metal such as aluminum.

The fin group <NUM> of the third heat exchange part <NUM> and the fin group <NUM> of the second heat exchange part <NUM> are integrally fixed by a connection member connecting them in the vertical direction D2. The positional relationship between the second heat exchange part <NUM> and the third heat exchange part <NUM> is defined by the connection member.

The heat transfer tube <NUM> is a tube formed of a metal such as copper through which the refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube <NUM> includes a plurality of straight tube parts 330a and a plurality of hairpin parts 330b.

The straight tube parts 330a are cylindrical tubes extending in the width direction D3. The straight tube parts 330a extend to penetrate the fins 331a, which are disposed in the width direction D3 in the fin group <NUM>, in the width direction D3.

The hairpin parts 330b are tubes each connecting end portions in the width direction D3 of the straight tube parts 330a adjacent to each other. The hairpin part 330b is a U-shaped bent tube that is curved so that a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the straight tube part 330a is turned by <NUM>°.

In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the heat transfer tube <NUM> includes eight straight tube parts 330a and seven hairpin parts 330b is an exemplary example. In <FIG>, only four hairpin parts 330b of the third heat exchange part <NUM> disposed on a first side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 are illustrated. The remaining three hairpin parts 330b are disposed on a second side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 to connect end portions of the adjacent straight tube parts 330a on a second side in the width direction D3 so that the refrigerant sequentially flows through the straight tube parts 330a.

The refrigerant that has flowed into one straight tube part 330a flows through the one straight tube part 330a in the width direction D3, and then flows into another straight tube part 330a adjacent thereto through the hairpin part 330b. This flow of the refrigerant is sequentially repeated, and thereby the refrigerant circulates through the straight tube parts 330a and the hairpin parts 330b of the heat transfer tube <NUM> in the third heat exchange part <NUM>. Cold heat of the refrigerant is conducted to the fins 331a of the third heat exchange part <NUM> via tube walls of the straight tube parts 330a.

The fourth heat exchange part <NUM> is placed in the housing space R so as to be below the fan <NUM> in the vertical direction D2 and further from the mounting surface <NUM> than the fan <NUM> in the installation direction D1. The fourth heat exchange part <NUM> includes a fin group <NUM> and a heat transfer tube <NUM>.

The fin group <NUM> is formed by a plurality of fins 341a extending in a direction intersecting the width direction D3 and disposed at regular intervals in the width direction D3. The fins 341a are formed of a metal such as aluminum.

The fin group <NUM> of the fourth heat exchange part <NUM> and the fin group <NUM> of the third heat exchange part <NUM> are integrally fixed by a connection member connecting them in the vertical direction D2. The positional relationship between the third heat exchange part <NUM> and the fourth heat exchange part <NUM> is defined by the connection member.

The heat transfer tube <NUM> is a tube formed of a metal such as copper through which the refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube <NUM> includes a plurality of straight tube parts 340a and a plurality of hairpin parts 340b.

The straight tube parts 340a are cylindrical tubes extending in the width direction D3. The straight tube parts 340a extend to penetrate the fins 341a, which are disposed in the width direction D3 in the fin group <NUM>, in the width direction D3.

The hairpin parts 340b are tubes each connecting end portions in the width direction D3 of the straight tube parts 340a adjacent to each other. The hairpin part 340b is a U-shaped bent tube that is curved so that a direction in which the refrigerant flows in the straight tube part 340a is turned by <NUM>°.

In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the heat transfer tube <NUM> includes four straight tube parts 340a and three hairpin parts 340b is an exemplary example. In <FIG>, only two hairpin parts 340b of the fourth heat exchange part <NUM> disposed on a first side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 are illustrated. The remaining one hairpin part 340b is disposed on a second side of the fin group <NUM> in the width direction D3 to connect end portions of the adjacent straight tube parts 340a on a second side in the width direction D3 so that the refrigerant sequentially flows through the straight tube parts 340a.

The refrigerant that has flowed into one straight tube part 340a flows through the one straight tube part 340a in the width direction D3, and then flows into another straight tube part 340a adjacent thereto through the hairpin part 340b. This flow of the refrigerant is sequentially repeated, and thereby the refrigerant circulates through the straight tube parts 340a and the hairpin parts 340b of the heat transfer tube <NUM> in the fourth heat exchange part <NUM>. Cold heat of the refrigerant is conducted to the fins 341a of the fourth heat exchange part <NUM> via tube walls of the straight tube parts 340a.

The heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> fixes the heat exchanger main body <NUM> to the casing <NUM> in the casing <NUM> (in the housing space R). The heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> includes a fixing plate main body <NUM>, a cover <NUM> and a tying member <NUM>.

The fixing plate main body <NUM> is a plate-shaped member that extends in a direction intersecting the width direction D3. The fixing plate main body <NUM> is fixed to the casing <NUM> on a first side in the width direction D3 with respect to the fin groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the heat exchange parts (the first heat exchange part <NUM> to the fourth heat exchange part <NUM>) of the heat exchanger main body <NUM>.

That is, the fin groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the heat exchange parts (the first heat exchange part <NUM> to the fourth heat exchange part <NUM>) are disposed on a second side of the fixing plate main body <NUM> in the width direction D3 while they are adjacent to the fixing plate main body <NUM>. The fixing plate main body <NUM> is formed of a material having flexibility such as, for example, a synthetic resin that is softer than the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

A plurality of insertion holes <NUM> through which the hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b of the heat exchange parts (the first heat exchange part <NUM> to the fourth heat exchange part <NUM>) of the heat exchanger main body <NUM> can be inserted in the width direction D3 are formed in the fixing plate main body <NUM>. The fixing plate main body <NUM> has the insertion holes <NUM> equal in number to the hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b of the heat exchanger main body <NUM>.

The hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b are inserted through the insertion holes <NUM> of the fixing plate main body <NUM>, and thereby the heat exchanger main body <NUM> is fixedly supported. In other words, the fixing plate main body <NUM> fixedly supports the heat exchanger main body <NUM> in a cantilevered manner. The hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b protrude from the fixing plate main body <NUM> to a first side in the width direction D3 when they are inserted through the insertion holes <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> is a member provided integrally with the fixing plate main body <NUM> and configured to cover each of the hairpin parts 320b and 330b which are part of the plurality of hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b protruding from the fixing plate main body <NUM> to a first side in the width direction D3.

The covers <NUM> of the present embodiment cover one of the hairpin parts 320b of the heat transfer tube <NUM> of the second heat exchange part <NUM>, which is closer to the upper surface <NUM> than the other ones in the vertical direction D2, and one of the hairpin parts 330b of the heat transfer tube <NUM> of the third heat exchange part <NUM>, which is further from the fan <NUM> than the other ones in the installation direction D1 and closer to the upper surface <NUM> than the other ones in the vertical direction D2. The cover <NUM> is formed of the same material as that of the fixing plate main body <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the cover <NUM> will be described by taking the cover <NUM> that covers the hairpin part 330b of the heat transfer tube <NUM> in the third heat exchange part <NUM> as an example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> includes a topside part <NUM> and a side wall part <NUM>.

An inside surface of the topside part <NUM> faces top of the hairpin part 330b in the width direction D3.

The side wall part <NUM> extends from the topside part <NUM> in the width direction D3 and is in contact with the fixing plate main body <NUM> in a state of surrounding the hairpin part 330b. The side wall part <NUM> includes a pair of first side wall parts 304a and a pair of second side wall parts 304b.

The pair of first side wall parts 304a are disposed to interpose the hairpin part 330b from both sides in a direction Po perpendicular to a virtual plane X extending along the hairpin part 330b. That is, the first side wall parts 304a are adjacent to each other in the direction Po so as to interpose the hairpin part 330b therebetween. A first through hole <NUM> passing through an inner arc of the hairpin part 330b is formed in the cover <NUM>. Therefore, the first side wall parts 304a each have an opening of the first through hole <NUM>.

An opening area of the first through hole <NUM> when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the vertical plane X is larger than that of an inner arc of the hairpin part 330b when viewed in the same direction. The inner arc of the hairpin part 330b when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the vertical plane X is positioned on an inner side of the opening of the first through hole <NUM> when viewed in the same direction.

The pair of second side wall parts 304b are disposed to interpose the hairpin part 330b from both sides in a direction Pi parallel to the virtual plane X. That is, the second side wall parts 304b are adjacent to each other in the direction Pi so as to interpose the hairpin part 330b therebetween. The second side wall parts 304b are both integrally fixed to the first side wall parts 304a.

Here, as illustrated also in <FIG>, the top side part <NUM>, which is adjacent to the top of the hairpin part 330b in the width direction D3, has a second through hole <NUM> passing through the top side part <NUM> in the width direction D3. The opening area of the second through hole <NUM> when viewed from a first side in the width direction D3 is smaller than that of an outer edge of the hairpin part 330b when viewed from a first side in the width direction D3. Therefore, the outer edge of the hairpin part 330b is hidden by the topside part <NUM> when viewed from a first side in the width direction D3.

The tying member <NUM> is tying the hairpin part 330b and the cover <NUM> together by being wound over the inner arc of the hairpin part 330b and the topside part <NUM>, which is an end portion of the cover <NUM> on a first side in the width direction D3, through the first through hole <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> is pressed against the fixing plate main body <NUM> by the tying member <NUM> that ties the topside part <NUM> and the hairpin part 330b together. As a specific example of the tying member <NUM>, the tying band of INSULOK (registered trademark) manufactured by HellamanTyton Co. can be mentioned.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the filter part <NUM> removes impurities such as dust contained in the air suctioned from the suction port. The filter part <NUM> is placed above the heat exchanger <NUM> in the vertical direction D2 in the housing space R. That is, the filter part <NUM> is positioned between the casing <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM>. Therefore, the filter part <NUM> supplies the air from which impurities such as dust are removed to the heat exchanger <NUM>.

When the refrigerant flows through the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, air in the vicinity of the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is cooled by cold heat of the refrigerant, and air in the vicinity of the fin groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to which the cold heat of the refrigerant can be conducted via the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is cooled. When the air in the vicinity of the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and in the vicinity the fin groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is cooled, moisture contained in the air is condensed (causes dew condensation) and generates droplets.

Also, when vibration due to the circulation of the refrigerant occurs in the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, or when maintenance of the indoor unit <NUM> is performed, a force may act from the hairpin parts 320b and 330b toward the cover <NUM>.

According to the above-described configuration, water vapor in the condensed air due to the cold heat of the refrigerant flowing in the hairpin parts 320b and 330b of the heat transfer tubes <NUM> and <NUM> can be diffused to the outside of the cover <NUM> through the first through hole <NUM> of the cover <NUM>. Therefore, the moisture in the condensed air staying inside the cover <NUM> can be suppressed.

Also, the rigidity of the cover <NUM> reduces due to the cover <NUM> having the first through hole <NUM>. Thereby, an elastic force of the entire cover <NUM> increases. Therefore, for example, even if a force directed from the hairpin parts 320b and 330b toward the cover <NUM> acts from the hairpin parts 320b and 330b, the hairpin parts 320b and 330b colliding with other members can be suppressed.

Also, according to the above-described configuration, water vapor in the air condensed by the cold heat of the refrigerant flowing through the hairpin parts 320b and 330b can be diffused to the outside of the cover <NUM> through the second through hole <NUM> of the topside part <NUM>.

Also, according to the above-described configuration, since the cover <NUM> has the through holes interposing the hairpin parts 320b and 330b from both sides in the direction Po perpendicular to the virtual plane X extending along the hairpin parts 320b and 330b, the rigidity of the entire cover <NUM> can be reduced more uniformly. Therefore, the elastic force of the entire cover <NUM> can be increased in a more balanced manner.

Also, according to the above-described configuration, since the tying member <NUM> ties the hairpin parts 320b and 330b and the cover <NUM> together, the cover <NUM> is pressed against the fixing plate main body <NUM>. Therefore, for example, even if an external force is applied to the cover <NUM>, the cover <NUM> being buckled can be suppressed.

Also, for example, when compared to a configuration in which the fixing plate main body <NUM> is directly tied to the hairpin parts 320b and 330b, a force of pulling the fixing plate main body <NUM> toward a first side in the width direction D3 does not act because the cover <NUM> is configured to be pressed against the fixing plate main body <NUM>. Therefore, generation of gaps between the fixing plate main body <NUM> and the fins 311a, 321a, 331a and 341a positioned on the most a first side in the width direction D3 of the fin groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be suppressed.

Also, according to the above-described configuration, visibility of the inside of the cover <NUM> through the second through hole <NUM> can be improved. Therefore, a tying operation for tying the cover <NUM> and the hairpin parts 320b and 330b together at the time of manufacturing the indoor unit <NUM>, assembly such as maintenance, or the like can be facilitated.

A heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to <FIG>. The heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> described in the second embodiment is partially different in configuration from the heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> of the first embodiment. Components the same as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> fixes a heat exchanger main body <NUM> to a casing <NUM> inside the casing <NUM> (inside a housing space R). The heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> includes a fixing plate main body <NUM>, a cover 302a and a tying member <NUM>. The fixing plate main body <NUM> of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the fixing plate main body <NUM> described in the first embodiment.

The cover 302a is provided integrally with the fixing plate main body <NUM>, and covers hairpin parts 320b and 330b, which are part of a plurality of hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b protruding from the fixing plate main body <NUM> to a first side in a width direction D3, from a first side in the width direction D3.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the cover 302a will be described by taking the cover 302a that covers the hairpin part 330b of a heat transfer tube <NUM> in a third heat exchange part <NUM> as an example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cover 302a includes a topside part 303a and a connection part <NUM>.

An inside surface of the topside part 303a faces top of the hairpin part 330b in the width direction D3.

Here, the area of a surface of the topside part 303a facing a first side in the width direction D3 when viewed from a first side in the width direction D3 is larger than that of an outer edge of the hairpin part 330b when viewed from a first side in the width direction D3, and the outer edge of the hairpin part 330b when viewed from a first side in the width direction D3 is hidden by the topside part 303a.

The connection part <NUM> extends from the fixing plate main body <NUM> to a first side in the width direction D3 and has a columnar shape that supports the topside part 303a.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the topside part 303a and the connection part <NUM> constitute the eave-shaped cover 302a that covers the hairpin part 330b from a first side in the width direction D3.

The tying member <NUM> is a member capable of tying the hairpin part 330b and the cover 302a together by being wound over the inside of a curve of the hairpin part 330b and a surface of the topside part 303a of the cover 302a facing a first side in the width direction D3 through a first through hole <NUM>.

According to the above-described configuration, the same operation and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Also, since the connection part <NUM> has a configuration having a columnar shape that extends from the fixing plate main body <NUM> to a first side in the width direction D3 and supports the topside part 303a, compared to the configuration of the side wall part <NUM> surrounding the hairpin parts 320b and 330b described in the first embodiment, moisture does not stay on the cover 302a when moisture contained in the air condenses.

While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the embodiments, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other changes to the configurations can be made within a scope of the claims.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the numbers of the straight tube parts 310a, 320a, 330a and 340a, and the hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b of the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> in each of the heat exchange parts (the first heat exchange part <NUM> to the fourth heat exchange part <NUM>) are not limited to the above-described numbers.

Also, the above-described embodiment may have a configuration in which all the hairpin parts 310b, 320b, 330b and 340b of the heat transfer tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are covered by the cover <NUM> or 302a. Also, the cover <NUM> or 302a may be configured to cover only one hairpin part 310b, 320b, 330b, or 340b.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the covers <NUM> and 302a may be formed of a material different from that of the fixing plate main body <NUM>.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration of the heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> that fixes the heat exchanger main body <NUM> to the casing <NUM> in the casing <NUM> of the indoor unit <NUM> has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the indoor unit <NUM>. The heat exchanger fixing plate <NUM> may fix the heat exchanger main body to, for example, a casing inside the casing of an outdoor unit.

Claim 1:
A heat exchanger (<NUM>) comprising
a heat exchanger main body (<NUM>) including a heat transfer tube (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) through which a refrigerant is flowed, the heat transfer tube (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is formed of a plurality of straight tube parts (310a, 320a, 330a, 340a) extending in a width direction and a plurality of curved hairpin parts (310b, 320b, 330b, 340b) each connecting end portions of the straight tube parts (310a, 320a, 330a, 340a) adjacent to each other, and
a heat exchanger fixing plate (<NUM>), wherein
the heat exchanger fixing plate (<NUM>) includes
a fixing plate main body (<NUM>) extending in a direction intersecting the width direction (D3) in which the plurality of straight tube parts (310a, 320a, 330a, 340a) extend and having a plurality of insertion holes (<NUM>) through which the hairpin parts (310b, 320b, 330b, 340b) are allowed to be inserted toward one side in the width direction (D3); and
a cover (<NUM>) which is installed on the fixing plate main body (<NUM>) to cover the hairpin part (310b, 320b, 330b, 340b) protruding from the fixing plate main body (<NUM>) toward one side in the width direction (D3) and having a first through hole (<NUM>) passing through an inner arc of the hairpin part (310b, 320b, 330b, 340b),
the cover (<NUM>) includes
a topside part facing (<NUM>, 303a) the hairpin part (310b, 320b, 330b, 340b) in the width direction (D3), and
side wall parts (<NUM>) extending from the topside part (<NUM>, 303a) in the width direction (D3) and are in contact with the fixing plate main body (<NUM>) in a state of surrounding the hairpin part (310b, 320b, 330b, 340b), and
the first through hole (<NUM>) is formed to penetrate the side wall parts (<NUM>).