Patent Description:
In a ceiling-embedded air conditioner, an outdoor unit installed outdoors and an indoor unit installed in a ceiling back space of an air-conditioned room are connected by gas pipes and liquid pipes to form a refrigerant circuit. The indoor unit has a box-type body unit embedded in a ceiling back space and a decorative panel disposed on the air-conditioned room side of the ceiling and mounted on the body unit.

As an example, in the invention described in Patent Literature <NUM>, the body unit is provided with a U-shaped heat exchanger, a fan casing in the center of the heat exchanger, and a blower fan formed of a sirocco fan surrounded by the fan casing. The decorative panel is formed with a blowing port at the center and suction ports along three sides below the heat exchanger. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an indoor unit for an air conditioner, wherein a large number of depressions are formed in a surface of a passage that defines an air outlet passage for blowing the air to the indoor side. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an anti-condensation air-conditioning panel comprising a panel body, the side panel surface of the panel body having a hydrophobic structure, wherein the hydrophobic structure comprises a hydrophobic layer, and an outer side of the hydrophobic layer. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein an uneven portion for forming a turbulent boundary layer in the blowout air is provided on a lower side surface of an air outlet formed in a main body casing. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a front frame for an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which includes a body portion with a through air outlet formed therein and a riser portion extending downward from a lower end of the air outlet, and a plurality of recessed holes rearward from a front surface of the riser portion, are formed on a front surface of the rising portion.

The air drawn in through the suction ports is heat exchanged with refrigerant in the heat exchanger and can then be blown out through the blowing port in one direction. With the heat exchanger surrounding the blower fan, the distance between the blower fan and the surface of the heat exchanger is almost constant so that the airspeed and air volume of the air passing through the heat exchanger are less biased, and the heat exchanger can be used effectively to increase the heat exchange capacity.

From a blowing port, conditioned air heat-exchanged by a heat exchanger is blown out. However, since cold air is blown out from the blowing port during cooling operation, dew condensation is liable to occur on a panel surface around the blowing port in a decorative panel, which cause dripping of droplets when the dew condensation grows (water dripping).

As one of the technologies to prevent water dripping, forming a plurality of ribs, for example, in parallel along a lower edge of the blowing port is known. However, since the blowing port is a part that is noticeable to users, the outer appearance is compromised, which is not desirable in terms of the design.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner provided with a water dripping prevention means, which does not visually stand out in outer appearance, as a technology for preventing water dripping caused by dew condensation at an air blowing port during cooling operation.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with a box-type body unit configured to be disposed in a ceiling back space of an air-conditioned room and a decorative panel mounted on a bottom surface of the body unit along a ceiling surface of the air-conditioned room. The decorative panel is provided with an air suction part and an air blowing part, which includes air blowing ports. Wherein a dotted surface texture including a plurality of projections is formed along a panel opening that forms air blowing ports in a decorative panel. The above-described projections are disposed at intervals which allows condensation water adhered to a panel surface of the above-described decorative panel to flow along the above-described panel surface. The air blowing part has a raised part protruding toward the air-conditioned room more than the panel surface of the decorative panel, and the entire raised part forms the dotted surface texture including the plurality of projections.

In the present invention, preferably, recesses between the above-described projections are finished into a mirrored surface, and top surfaces of the above-described projections are rougher surfaces than those of the above-described recesses.

The above-described plurality of projections preferably have a cylindrical shape and are disposed at intervals of <NUM> to <NUM>. In addition, the above-described projections preferably have a diameter of <NUM> and a height of <NUM>.

The present invention also includes an aspect of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner wherein the above-described air blowing part includes a fixed blowing part and truncated conical-shaped rotating units disposed on both sides thereof, which form parts of the raised part. Thus, a cover panel of the fixed blowing part and the above-described rotating units are provided with the dotted surface texture including the above-described plurality of projections.

According to the present invention, an air conditioner provided with a water dripping prevention means which does not visually stand out in outer appearance is provided.

Some forms of implementing the present invention will be described in detail below as examples based on the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited thereto.

In an air conditioner, an outdoor unit (not illustrated) installed outdoors and an indoor unit <NUM> mounted on a ceiling T1 of an air-conditioned room R are connected by a gas pipe and a liquid pipe (both not illustrated) to form a refrigerant circuit.

Referring to <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> of the present embodiment is a ceiling-embedded air conditioner having a box-type body unit <NUM> embedded into a ceiling back space T2, and a decorative panel <NUM> disposed on the air-conditioned room R side of the ceiling T1 and mounted on a bottom surface <NUM> of the same body unit <NUM>, and in particular, is a ceiling-embedded air conditioner of an omnidirectional blowing type, which blows conditioned air over a wide range.

Referring to <FIG>, the body unit <NUM> has a rectangular-shaped top panel <NUM> formed of sheet metal and a box-type outer body <NUM> formed from side plates <NUM>, <NUM> extending downward from four sides of the top panel <NUM>. Two mounting brackets <NUM> each are secured to two side plates <NUM> facing each other, with the side plate <NUM> being the side plate on the long side of the top panel <NUM> and the side plate <NUM> being the side plate on the short side of the top panel <NUM>.

The body unit <NUM> is installed in the attic T2 by suspending the mounting brackets <NUM> with a plurality of hanging bolts, not illustrated, which are fixed to the attic T2.

The decorative panel <NUM> has a panel part <NUM> that forms a main body of the decorative panel <NUM>, which is larger than the top panel <NUM> and has a rectangular shape, and a side wall portion <NUM> that is erected from a rear surface 70R of the panel part <NUM> to the body unit <NUM> side and is sized to fit, and mounted on, an opened bottom surface of the box-type outer body <NUM> (the bottom surface <NUM> of the body unit <NUM>).

The panel part <NUM> has an air suction part <NUM> squarely opened on the side of one side 70b located at the rear out of the long sides facing each other, and an air blowing part <NUM> on the side of the other side 70a located in front of the long side that faces the one side 70b.

Referring to <FIG>, a portion of the panel part <NUM> where the air suction part <NUM> and the air blowing part <NUM> are provided is a panel main body 71a, and on both left and right sides of the panel main body 71a, the side panel 71b is formed integrally. In <FIG>, 71bR designates the right-side side panel, and 71bL designates the left-side side panel.

In the indoor unit <NUM> in <FIG>, the direction of the top panel <NUM> will be described below as upper surface or above, the direction of the air-conditioned room R as bottom surface or below, the side of the air blowing part <NUM> as front surface or front, the side of the air suction part <NUM> as back surface side or rear, the side of the left short side 70c as left side surface or leftward, and the side of the right short side 70d as right side surface or rightward. The same applies to each of the parts.

The side wall portion <NUM> includes, as illustrated in <FIG>, a frame <NUM> sized to enclose the air suction part <NUM> and the air blowing part <NUM> formed in a square shape along each side of the panel part <NUM> (long sides 70a, 70b, short sides 70c, 70d), and a beam <NUM> bridged between the short sides of the frame <NUM> (short sides 70c, 70d of the panel part <NUM>), and is screwed integrally to the rear surface of the panel part <NUM> (decorative panel <NUM>).

The frame <NUM> and the beam <NUM> are both made of sheet metal, and the beam <NUM> is placed on a partitioning part <NUM> formed between the air suction part <NUM> and the air blowing part <NUM> of the panel part <NUM>.

In this configuration, as illustrated in <FIG>, when packing the decorative panel <NUM>, the beam <NUM> is held down by a protrusion on the packing material side, and can thereby prevent damage due to impact such as when dropped. The beam <NUM> also provides a structure that can withstand a load applied in a direction parallel to a panel surface <NUM> of the decorative panel <NUM>.

The beam <NUM> may be bridged between the long sides 70a and 70b of the frame <NUM>, depending on the shape and arrangement of the air suction part <NUM> and the air blowing part <NUM>, or the like.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the parts housed in the body unit <NUM> will be described. The inner surface of the top panel <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> is provided with a heat insulating material <NUM> formed of a polystyrene foam having a thick plate thickness.

A thin heat insulating sheet (not illustrated) is sufficient for the inner surface of the side plates <NUM>, <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, instead of the heat insulating material <NUM>. The center of the heat insulating material <NUM> is open and a part of the top panel <NUM> is exposed when viewed from below. A heat exchanger <NUM> and a fan unit <NUM> are fixed to the exposed part of the top panel <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, an electrical component box <NUM> storing electrical components (not illustrated) for controlling the indoor unit <NUM> is mounted on the outer surface on the right side surface of the outer body <NUM>.

The heat exchanger <NUM> is of a fin-tube type formed from a plurality of reed-shaped aluminum fins <NUM> arranged in parallel and a plurality of heat transfer tubes <NUM> penetrating the aluminum fins <NUM>, and is provided with two heat exchanger sections, or a front heat exchanger section (first heat exchanger section) <NUM> on the left side in <FIG> and a rear heat exchanger section (second heat exchanger section) 20R, on the right side also in <FIG> as two heat exchanger sections separated from each other.

The front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R are mounted on the top panel <NUM> so as to face each other. The front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R may be arranged parallel to each other almost perpendicular to the top panel <NUM>, but are preferably assembled so as to slant downwards, in which the spacing (distance) on the upper end side is wider (longer) than the spacing (distance) on the lower end side as illustrated in <FIG>, in order to keep the height dimensions low and to increase the heat exchange area. Instead of slanting downwards, slanting upwards, in which the spacing (distance) on the upper end side is narrower (shorter) than the spacing on the lower end side, is also applicable.

In any case, both the left and right ends of the front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R are coupled respectively by coupling plates <NUM> and <NUM>. In this way, the space inside the heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a blower chamber F with both the left and right ends blocked by the coupling plates <NUM>, <NUM>. A bottom surface of the heat exchanger <NUM> (a surface between lower ends of the front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R) is blocked by a drain pan <NUM>, as described below.

In this manner, since both the left and right ends of the front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R are blocked by the coupling plates <NUM>, <NUM>, all the air drawn in from the air suction part <NUM> passes through the front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R, and thus the heat exchange capacity is further enhanced without wasted air flow.

In the interval between the heat exchanger <NUM> and the outer body <NUM>, a first air suction chamber S1 is provided between the outer body <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R, and a second air suction chamber S2 is provided between the outer body <NUM> and the front heat exchanger section <NUM>. The first air suction chamber S1 is disposed directly above the air suction part <NUM>, and the second air suction chamber S2 is communicated with the air suction part <NUM> via an air conduction path L described below.

The fan unit <NUM> is located in the blower chamber F provided inside the heat exchanger <NUM>. The fan unit <NUM> has sirocco fan type blower fans <NUM>, a fan motor <NUM>, a fan mount <NUM> (see <FIG>) which supports and fixes the blower fans <NUM> to the top panel <NUM>, and a motor mount <NUM> (see <FIG>) which fixes the fan motor <NUM> to the top panel <NUM>.

The blower fan <NUM> includes a tubular impeller (sirocco fan) <NUM> provided with a plurality of blades, a spiral fan casing <NUM> housing the impeller <NUM>, and a rotating shaft <NUM> coupled to the center of the impeller <NUM>.

The number of blower fans <NUM> is optionally selected according to the required air conditioning capacity, but in the present embodiment, four fans are arranged coaxially side-by-side. The blower fans <NUM> have the same structure, respectively.

In the fan unit <NUM>, the fan motor <NUM> is fixed to the top panel <NUM> by the motor mount <NUM>, and then two each of the blower fans <NUM> are coupled to each other at both ends of the fan motor <NUM> by a rotating shaft <NUM>. Both ends of the rotating shaft <NUM> are fixed to the top panel <NUM> via bearing plates, not illustrated, for example, made of an L-shaped bracket. There is also a fan fixing section <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the upper part of the fan casing <NUM>, which is fixed to the top panel <NUM> with screws.

The fan casing <NUM> includes a housing section <NUM> that houses the impeller <NUM>, and a tubular air-blowing section <NUM> that is formed continuously from the housing section <NUM> and extends downward beyond the lower end of the heat exchanger <NUM>. A fan suction port <NUM> is circularly opened on the side surface of the housing section <NUM> to draw air into the impeller <NUM>.

The fan casing <NUM> may be formed by dividing the interior into upper and lower compartments by a plane parallel to the axis of the impeller <NUM> or may be formed by dividing the interior into left and right compartments by a plane perpendicular to the axis of the impeller <NUM> so that the impeller <NUM> can be housed inside. In the interior of the fan casing <NUM>, the housing section <NUM> and the air-blowing section <NUM> are continued to form an airflow path <NUM> for blown air H.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the fan unit <NUM> is disposed with the internal space surrounded by the heat exchanger <NUM> as the blower chamber F, when the impellers <NUM> of the blower fans <NUM> rotate, negative pressure is created inside the blower chamber F, and thus the air from the air suction part <NUM> passes through the front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R, enters the blower chamber F, is sucked into the fan suction ports <NUM>, and discharged to the peripheries of the impellers <NUM>, and the discharged air is blown out along the airflow paths <NUM> in the fan casings <NUM> in one direction and blown out of the air blowing part <NUM> into the air-conditioned room R.

A drain pan <NUM> is provided at the lower end of the heat exchanger <NUM> to receive drained water produced by the heat exchanger <NUM>. The drain pan <NUM> is molded integrally with an insulating member <NUM> made of polystyrene foam and a resin-made drain sheet <NUM> provided on a surface facing the heat exchanger <NUM>.

The drain pan <NUM> is formed in a rectangular shape having a size that covers the opening surface of the lower end side of the heat exchanger <NUM> and is also a partitioning plate that partitions the blower chamber F from the air conduction path L described below. The drain pan <NUM> is provided with ventilation holes <NUM> through which the tubular air-blowing sections <NUM> of the fan unit <NUM> are fitted by the number corresponding to the number of the blower fans <NUM> (four in the present embodiment).

As described above, as the heat exchanger <NUM> includes the front heat exchanger section <NUM> and a rear heat exchanger section 20R arranged so as to slant downwards, and thus the bottom surface is narrower than the upper surface, the drain pan <NUM> is correspondingly small, and the area occupied by the drain pan <NUM> in the body unit <NUM> is small, so that the ventilation resistance by the drain pan <NUM> is also reduced and the ventilation area around the drain pan <NUM> is enlarged to enhance the ventilation efficiency.

On the drain sheet <NUM> side of the drain pan <NUM>, a flume section <NUM> is provided to receive the drained water produced by the heat exchanger <NUM>. Since the condensation water generated on the outer side of the fan casing <NUM> during cooling operation can be received by the drain pan <NUM>, it is preferable to provide waterproofing around the ventilation holes <NUM>.

Although not illustrated, the drain pan <NUM> may be provided with a drain pump and a drain hose for discharging the drained water, as well as a float switch, or the like, for the on-off controlling of the drain pump.

Referring to <FIG>, the configuration of the decorative panel <NUM> will be described. The decorative panel <NUM> has the air blowing part <NUM> on the one long side 70a side, and the air suction part <NUM> on the side of the other long side 70b. The air blowing part <NUM> is in particular formed as a raised part <NUM> in which a portion of the panel part <NUM> is raised in a trapezoidal shape in a cross-section along the long side 70a toward the air-conditioned room R. Note that a suction grill <NUM> having an air filter, is detachably mounted on the air suction part <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, the raised part <NUM> is ellipsoidal, which is a rectangular shape with rounded corners including two parallel lines of equal length and two semicircles, and has a side surface (peripheral surface) forming an inclined surface. The air blowing part <NUM> has a fixed blowing part <NUM> in the center portion of the raised part <NUM> and has movable blowing parts <NUM>, 77R on both left and right sides. When it is not necessary to distinguish between movable blowing parts <NUM> and 77R, they are collectively referred to as movable blowing part <NUM>.

Referring in conjunction with <FIG>, the movable blowing part <NUM> has a truncated cone-shaped rotating unit <NUM> that rotates within a predetermined range of angles around the axis that is normal to a virtual plane on the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM> parallel to the bottom surface <NUM> of the body unit <NUM>. The movable blowing part 77R likewise has a truncated cone-shaped rotating unit 78R that rotates within a predetermined range of angles around the axis that is normal to a virtual plane on the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM> parallel to the bottom surface <NUM> of the body unit <NUM>. The virtual plane on the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM> is also parallel to the ceiling surface T1 of the air-conditioned room R.

Semicircular portions are formed at both ends of the raised part <NUM> by a portion of these rotating units <NUM> and 78R. When it is not necessary to distinguish between rotating units <NUM> and 78R, they are collectively referred to as rotating unit <NUM>.

As can be seen from the perspective view of <FIG>, a top surface (bottom surface) <NUM> of the fixed blowing part <NUM> and a top surface (bottom surface) <NUM> of the rotating unit <NUM> are always on the same plane, even when the rotating units <NUM> are in a rotated state, to improve the design.

The fixed blowing part <NUM> is a trapezoidal shape in a cross-section, with a first air blowing port <NUM> opening on a side surface on the front long side (specified side) 70a side and facing the long side 70a, is provided with horizontal air vent deflectors <NUM> (see <FIG>) within a first air blowing port <NUM>, and is provided with a vertical air vent deflector <NUM> on the opening surface of the first air blowing port <NUM>.

The movable blowing part <NUM> is provided with a second air blowing port <NUM> on a portion of the side surface of the rotating unit <NUM>, and the second air blowing port <NUM> is provided with a vertical air vent deflector <NUM>. Since the rotation of the rotating unit <NUM> changes the direction of the flow of air in the left and right directions, the movable blowing part <NUM> does not need a horizontal air vent deflector. The first air blowing port <NUM> of the fixed blowing part <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> of the movable blowing part <NUM> are opened along the side surfaces having the same angle of inclination in order to give a sense of design unity to these air blowing ports <NUM> and <NUM>.

While the air blowing direction of the fixed blowing part <NUM> is in the direction of the long side 70a, the movable blowing part <NUM> rotates between a first position where the second air blowing port <NUM> faces the long side 70a and a second position where the same faces the short sides 70c, 70d, and within this rotational range, the conditioned air sent from the blower fan <NUM> is blown out in the specified direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the movable blowing part <NUM> is in the first position, the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> are linearly aligned. In this case, it is desirable to provide dummy flaps <NUM> and <NUM> on both sides of the first air blowing port <NUM> in order to create the appearance that the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> are continuous. The dummy flaps <NUM> are also located on the same inclined surface as the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the state in which the left side movable blowing part <NUM> is in the first position and the right side movable blowing part 77R is in the second position facing the short side 70d. By the movable blowing part <NUM> being configured to be rotatable, the indoor unit <NUM> is an omnidirectional (multi-directional) blowing type capable of blowing out conditioned air in all directions except in the direction of the long side 70b on the rear side.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, even if the second air blowing port <NUM> of the movable blowing part <NUM> (<NUM>) is rotated to the second position facing the short sides, the portion other than the second air blowing port <NUM> is the side surface of a cone, thus providing a sense of continuity with the first air blowing port <NUM> in appearance. In other words, even if the movable blowing part <NUM> is rotated, the basic shape of the air blowing part <NUM> (an ellipsoidal ridge shape) is maintained.

According to the present embodiment, the first air blowing port <NUM> of the fixed blowing part <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> of the movable blowing part <NUM> are formed on the side surface of a raised part <NUM> with a portion of the panel part <NUM> raised in a trapezoidal shape in a cross-section toward the air-conditioned room R side, so that conditioned air is blown out from the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> in an almost horizontal direction along the panel surface <NUM> of the decorative panel <NUM>, allowing the conditioned air to spread farther away.

Also, although the conditioned air is blown out of the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> at the same time, it is difficult to create a boundary between the air flow blown out of the first air blowing port <NUM> and the air flow blown out of the second air blowing port <NUM>, so that the air-conditioned room R is uniformly conditioned.

Unlike the above-described embodiment, the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> may be opened in a vertical plane that is normal to the panel surface (or ceiling surface) of the decorative panel <NUM>.

In the above-described embodiment, the fixed blowing part <NUM> and the left and right movable blowing parts <NUM> are contained within the ellipsoidal raised part <NUM>. However, as long as the movable blowing part <NUM> can be rotated around an axis that is normal to the virtual plane on the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM> parallel to the bottom surface <NUM> of the body unit <NUM>, it may be simply an aspect in which the movable blowing parts <NUM> are disposed on both sides of the fixed blowing part <NUM> irrespective of the appearance, and this aspect is also included in the present invention.

On the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM>, a partitioning plate unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is mounted. Referring in conjunction with the preceding <FIG>, <FIG>, etc., the partitioning plate unit <NUM> includes, on its upper surface side (the surface side facing the drain pan <NUM>), four ducts <NUM> (51a to 51d) which are each fitted to the four ventilation holes <NUM> (43a to 43d; see <FIG>) formed in the drain pan <NUM> and communicated with the air-blowing section <NUM> of the fan unit <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the ventilation holes <NUM> (43a to 43d) are square holes, and the ducts <NUM> (51a to 51d) fitted thereto are square tubular shapes (the shape of a square tube), and the ducts <NUM> (51a to 51d) extend as square tubes to the rear surface 70R of the decorative panel <NUM>.

Two of these ducts 51a, 51b on the inner side are fitted to the corresponding ventilation holes 43a, 43b, respectively, and two ducts 51c, 51d disposed on the outside are fitted to the corresponding ventilation holes 43c, 43d, respectively.

The ducts 51a and 51b are the ducts for the fixed blowing part <NUM>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, a central blowing unit <NUM> with one chamber 751a, which is allocated across the ducts 51a and 51b, is mounted on the lower surface side of the partitioning plate unit <NUM>.

The horizontal air vent deflectors <NUM> are provided in chamber 751a. The first air blowing port <NUM> is formed on the front surface side of the central blowing unit <NUM>, and the vertical air vent deflector <NUM> is provided therein.

Although not illustrated, a motor to drive the horizontal air vent deflectors <NUM> is disposed on the back surface of chamber 751a, and a motor to drive the vertical air vent deflector <NUM> is disposed beside the first air blowing port <NUM>.

The outer ducts 51c and 51d are ducts for the movable blowing part <NUM>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, a rotating unit <NUM> provided on the left side movable blowing part <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the lower end of the left side duct 51c, and a rotating unit 78R provided by the right side movable blowing part 77R is rotatably mounted on a lower end of the right side duct 51d.

Both of the rotating units <NUM> and 78R are driven by a motor. The motor driving the rotating unit <NUM> is located within a motor cover <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG> beside the outer ducts 51c and 51d.

In the present embodiment, the rotating units <NUM>, 78R can be rotated from the first position to a position of <NUM>° or more, for example, <NUM>°, as the second position, respectively. However, if rotated to such positions, the short-circuit phenomenon, in which the blown air is sucked into the air suction part <NUM> instead of being directed to the air-conditioned room R may occur.

To prevent such phenomenon, walls <NUM> are provided between the rotating units <NUM> and the air suction part <NUM>, referring to <FIG>.

In the present embodiment, the walls <NUM> are formed in the form of slopes that rise from portions of the panel part <NUM> around the rotating units <NUM> from the short sides 70c, 70d sides toward between the rotating units <NUM>, 78R and the air suction part <NUM> to the height of the top surfaces <NUM> of the rotating units <NUM> or to the height of the air suction part <NUM>. In <FIG>, ridge lines 711a of walls <NUM> are illustrated to be sloping.

In this configuration, each wall <NUM> prevents the short-circuit phenomenon when the rotating unit <NUM> is rotated to near its maximum rotational position, and the blown air flow will reach farther away along a slope surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>. In other words, the wall <NUM> not only prevents the short-circuit phenomenon, but also functions as an air flow guiding surface that allows the blown air to reach farther away by being provided with a slope surface <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, the air blown from the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> flows along the panel surface <NUM> of the decorative panel <NUM>, so that a remaining panel surface <NUM> of the decorative panel <NUM>, except for the air suction part <NUM>, acts as an air flow guiding surface, including the slope surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>.

As explained earlier, the decorative panel <NUM> is mounted on the body unit <NUM> by fitting the side wall portion <NUM> into the bottom surface opening of the body unit <NUM> and screwing it in place. In the present embodiment, the air suction part <NUM> is disposed on the first air suction chamber S1 side, and at the time of this assembly, as indicated by arrows in <FIG>, the air conduction path L is formed to guide part of air sucked from the air suction part <NUM> to between the bottom surface 40R of the drain pan <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) and the rear surface 70R of the decorative panel <NUM> into the second air suction chamber S2.

In the air conduction path L, the air proceeding towards the second air suction chamber S2 passes between the ducts <NUM>, <NUM>, but in order to ensure a greater amount of airflow, recesses <NUM> are formed in the bottom surface 40R of the drain pan <NUM> corresponding to the ducts <NUM>, <NUM> to expand the cross-sectional area of the airflow path L, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In this indoor unit <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> above, the raised part <NUM> including a fixed blowing part <NUM> and a movable blowing part <NUM> is provided on a decorative panel <NUM>, and the first air blowing port <NUM> of the fixed blowing part <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> of the movable blowing part <NUM> are formed on the side surface of the raised part <NUM>, so that an air conduction path L larger in vertical width may be ensured between the drain pan <NUM> and the decorative panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> above, as viewed from inside the air-conditioned room R, the air suction part <NUM> is disposed above the raised part <NUM> and included within the panel surface <NUM> of the decorative panel <NUM>, so that the air suction part <NUM> is positionally close to the air conduction path L, and a portion of the air sucked from the air suction part <NUM> is easily directed to the second air suction chamber S2 side via the air conduction path L.

Also, in the air conditioner, the room temperature sensor for measuring the room temperature in the air-conditioned room R is provided for controlling the air-conditioning operation. However, as described above, when the first air suction chamber S1, the second air suction chamber S2, and the air conduction path L are provided in the body unit <NUM>, the position where to dispose the room temperature sensor becomes an issue for measuring the room temperature with higher accuracy.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a room temperature sensor TS is disposed at a position in the first air suction chamber S1 above the air conduction path L, that is, at a position above a plane 40Rp including the bottom surface 40R of the drain pan <NUM> which specifies an upper limit of the air conduction path L.

The side of the inner surface of the side plate <NUM> of the side plates <NUM>, <NUM> provided on the body unit <NUM>, which is on the side of the long side facing the rear heat exchanger 20R, is preferable. The vicinity of the above-described plane 40Rp in the lower part of the first air suction chamber S1 is more preferable. Such locations, having a larger air volume of indoor air sucked from the air suction part <NUM> and being far from the heat exchanger, enable measurement of the room temperature with a higher degree of accuracy.

Next, the assembly of the indoor unit <NUM> will be described. The body unit <NUM> is first placed on an assembly table with the top panel <NUM> side of the outer body <NUM> down, and the heat insulating material <NUM> is fitted inside the outer body <NUM>. The pre-assembled heat exchanger <NUM> (a heat exchanger coupling the front heat exchanger section <NUM> and the rear heat exchanger section 20R with a coupling plate <NUM>) is then fixed to the top panel <NUM> via a predetermined mounting fixture, not illustrated, with a gas coupling pipe and a liquid coupling pipe (both not illustrated) of the pre-assembled heat exchanger <NUM> drawn out of the side plate <NUM>. The pre-assembled fan unit <NUM> is then placed in the blower chamber F in the heat exchanger <NUM> and fixed to the top panel <NUM> via the motor mount <NUM> and the fan fixing section <NUM>.

Next, the flume section <NUM> on the drain sheet <NUM> side of the drain pan <NUM> is fitted into the bottom surface of the outer body <NUM> in line with the lower ends of the heat exchanger sections <NUM>, 20R. At this time, the air-blowing sections <NUM> of the fan casings <NUM> are fitted to the ventilation holes <NUM> of the drain pan <NUM>.

The body unit <NUM> thus assembled and the decorative panels <NUM> are packed separately and transported to the installation site. The body unit <NUM> is installed in the attic T2 by being suspended with a plurality of hanging bolts previously embedded in the attic T2.

Then, the decorative panel <NUM> is installed from the air-conditioned room R side. At this time, the ducts <NUM> of the partitioning plate unit <NUM> are connected to the air-blowing sections <NUM> of the fan casings <NUM> through the ventilation holes <NUM> of the drain pan <NUM>. Although not illustrated, the indoor unit <NUM> can be operated by connecting refrigerant piping, a power line and signal lines to the outdoor unit.

When the indoor unit <NUM> is stopped, as illustrated in <FIG>, the rotating units <NUM>, 78R of the movable blowing parts <NUM>, 77R have the second air blowing ports <NUM> facing in the same direction (on the long side 70a side) as the first air blowing port <NUM> of the fixed blowing part <NUM>, as an initial position (first position), and the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> are both closed by the vertical air vent deflectors <NUM> and <NUM>.

A compressor and a fan motor of the outdoor unit (both not illustrated) and the fan motor <NUM> of the indoor unit <NUM> are then started to operate by a command of the remote controller (not illustrated) by the user or by the command of the air conditioning system.

In the indoor unit <NUM>, the blower fan <NUM> is rotated by operation of the fan motor <NUM>. The rotation of the blower fan <NUM> blows out the air in the air-blowing section <NUM> of the blower fan <NUM>, resulting in a negative pressure in the blower chamber F, so that the air K in the air-conditioned room R is drawn in from the air suction part <NUM> provided in the decorative panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the air K drawn in from the air suction part <NUM> flows into the first air suction chamber S1 and also flows into the second air suction chamber S2 through the air conduction path L. The air in the first air suction chamber S1 passes through the rear heat exchanger section 20R, is heat exchanged with the refrigerant, and enters the blower chamber F. Similarly, the air in the second air suction chamber S2 passes through the front heat exchanger section <NUM>, is heat exchanged with the refrigerant, and enters the blower chamber F.

The air thus conditioned is delivered by rotation of the blower fans <NUM> from the air-blowing sections <NUM> of the fan casings <NUM> to the fixed blowing part <NUM> and the movable blowing parts <NUM> of the decorative panel <NUM> via the ducts <NUM>.

The conditioned air delivered to the fixed blowing part <NUM> is blown from the first air blowing port <NUM> toward the direction guided by the horizontal air vent deflectors <NUM> and the vertical air vent deflector <NUM>. The conditioned air delivered to the movable blowing part <NUM> is blown out in the direction of rotation of the rotating unit <NUM> and in the direction guided by the vertical air vent deflector <NUM>.

Since the rotation of the rotating units <NUM>, 78R is individually controllable, the conditioned air can be supplied in many directions according to the user's requirements, except in the direction of the long side 70b on the rear side, where the air suction part <NUM> is located.

The indoor unit <NUM> of the present embodiment has a partitioning plate unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> on the rear surface 70R of the decorative panel <NUM>, as previously described. The partitioning plate unit <NUM> is mounted on the air blowing part <NUM> of the decorative panel <NUM>, but is large and heavy because of the fixed blowing part <NUM>, the movable blowing part <NUM>, and the like provided thereon.

The frame <NUM> described in <FIG> is provided on the rear side of the decorative panel <NUM> with the intention of preventing damage due to impact, such as when dropped. However, here, as illustrated in <FIG>, a frame <NUM> is provided to support the partitioning plate unit <NUM> on the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> includes, as a main frame, long side frames <NUM> and <NUM> disposed respectively along the long sides 70a and 70b of the decorative panel <NUM>, and short side frames <NUM> and <NUM> disposed respectively along the short sides 70c and 70d of the decorative panel <NUM> between both ends of the long side frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

Two beams <NUM>, <NUM> are bridged between the short side frame <NUM> and the short side frame <NUM>. The long side frames <NUM> and <NUM>, short side frames <NUM> and <NUM> and beams <NUM> and <NUM> are preferably made of sheet metal.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the partitioning plate unit <NUM> is mounted on the decorative panel <NUM> so that the fixed blowing part <NUM> and the movable blowing part <NUM> thereof protrude to the air-conditioned room R side, and the opening 74a, which corresponds to the air blowing part <NUM>, is formed along the long side 70a of the decorative panel <NUM>.

The beams <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed respectively on the side of the long side of the opening 74a where the air blowing part <NUM> is provided, and the partitioning plate unit <NUM> is supported by the beams <NUM> and <NUM> on the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM>.

Note that the partitioning plate unit <NUM> is mounted on the rear surface 70R of the decorative panel <NUM> with its three edges, a front edge 50a, a right side edge 50b, and a left side edge 50c, surrounded by the long side frame <NUM> at the front and the short side frames <NUM>, <NUM> on the left and right, respectively, and fitted into the frame <NUM>. As a result, the beams <NUM>, <NUM> are sandwiched between the partitioning plate unit <NUM> and the rear surface 70R of the decorative panel <NUM>.

In this configuration, the partitioning plate unit <NUM> can be mounted on the rear surface of the decorative panel <NUM> without causing deformation or distortion to the decorative panel <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fan unit <NUM> and the rotating unit <NUM> (<NUM>, 78R) are connected via the partitioning plate unit <NUM> so that air can be circulated, but as illustrated in the exploded perspective view in <FIG>, the partitioning plate unit <NUM> is provided with drive means <NUM> to rotate the rotating unit <NUM>. The drive means <NUM> is provided in each of the rotating units <NUM> and 78R, but the configuration is the same.

Referring in conjunction with <FIG>, the drive means <NUM> is provided with a annular rotating ring <NUM> that is integrally coupled to an upper part of the rotating unit <NUM> and a motor unit <NUM> that rotates the rotating ring <NUM>.

The rotating ring <NUM> has a cylindrical part <NUM>, and on the outer periphery of the cylindrical part <NUM>, rack teeth <NUM> are formed along the arcuate surface of the outer periphery. The rack teeth <NUM> may be formed over the entire circumference of the cylindrical part <NUM> but need only be formed at least in a range that can realize the rotational range (the above-described range between the first position and the second position) of the rotating unit <NUM>.

A flange <NUM> is formed outward in a radial direction concentrically around the outer periphery of the cylindrical part <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is hereafter referred to as an outer flange. In the interior of the cylindrical part <NUM>, a vent hole <NUM> having a square shape is formed to be communicated with the duct <NUM> (51c, 51d) for the movable blowing part.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the motor unit <NUM> has a motor (preferably a stepper motor) <NUM> capable of forward and reverse rotation, a pinion gear <NUM> mounted on an output shaft 651a thereof, and a mount <NUM> for mounting, and the pinion gear <NUM> is mounted on a predetermined portion of a duct cover <NUM>, which will be described later, so as to engage the rack teeth <NUM> of the rotating ring <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, circular openings <NUM> are formed on both sides of the partitioning plate unit <NUM> into which the rotating rings <NUM> are fitted. On the inner periphery of the opening <NUM>, a flange <NUM> is formed inward in a radial direction in a concentric manner. The flange <NUM> is hereafter referred to as an inner flange.

When the rotating ring <NUM> is fitted into the opening <NUM>, the outer flange <NUM> is positioned on the inner flange <NUM>, and the outer flange <NUM> slides on the inner flange <NUM> as the rotating ring <NUM> rotates. The outer flange <NUM> and the inner flange <NUM> function as a kind of thrust bearing that bears an axial load of the rotating body.

After the rotating ring <NUM> is fitted into the opening <NUM>, the duct cover <NUM> is covered to hold the rotating ring <NUM> down. The duct cover <NUM> is screwed to the partitioning plate unit <NUM>.

As described above, the ducts <NUM> (51c, 51d), that are connected to the ventilation holes <NUM> formed in the drain pan <NUM>, are formed in the duct cover <NUM>. The duct cover <NUM> is also formed with a base part <NUM> on which the motor unit <NUM> is mounted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the rear surface 630R of the duct cover <NUM> has an annular guide groove <NUM> formed therein and the cylindrical part <NUM> of the rotating ring <NUM> is fitted in the guide groove <NUM>. The circular portion surrounded by the guide groove <NUM> on the rear surface 630R of the duct cover <NUM> is an inner bottom surface <NUM> at a height slightly lower than an edge 630a of the duct cover <NUM> in <FIG> (a height slightly higher than the edge 630a in the cross-sectional view in <FIG>).

The duct <NUM> (51c, 51d) is square in shape, but has ventilation area (cross-sectional surface area) progressively widened from the upper surface of the duct cover <NUM> to the inner bottom surface <NUM>, and widened at the inner bottom surface <NUM> to an extent that the apex (corner) touches the annular guide groove <NUM>, and the rotating ring <NUM> rotates along a circumscribed circle of the duct <NUM> on the inner bottom surface <NUM> side.

In an airflow path from the fan unit <NUM> to the second air blowing port <NUM> of the rotating unit <NUM>, the airflow pressure changes in a rotating portion of the rotating unit <NUM>. However, by rotating the rotating ring <NUM> along the circumscribed circle of the duct <NUM> on the inner bottom surface <NUM> side as described above, the airflow path is not even partially blocked, so that the pressure change in the rotating portion of the rotating unit <NUM> can be reduced. Also, the structure of the coupling part (connecting part) between the rotating ring <NUM> and the duct <NUM> can be reduced in size.

The rotating ring <NUM> does not have to touch the four apexes of the duct <NUM>, for example, the rotating ring <NUM> can be made into a large circle that touches the two adjacent apexes of the duct <NUM> on the inner bottom surface <NUM> side, and can be rotated without reducing the ventilation area of the duct <NUM> (without blocking the duct in any part).

Referring again to <FIG>, according to the present embodiment, the duct cover <NUM> is further covered with an exterior cover <NUM>. This exterior cover <NUM> is one size larger than the duct cover <NUM>, but may be omitted in some cases.

When changing the air blowing direction of the rotating unit <NUM>, the rotating ring <NUM> is rotated in the opening <NUM> by the motor <NUM>. It is necessary to prevent rattling of the rotating ring <NUM> from occurring during this rotation. The rattling can be horizontal direction (radial direction) rattling or vertical direction (axial direction) rattling.

First, a stable seat <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, is used to prevent rattling in the horizontal direction (radial direction). The stable seat <NUM> has a seat portion <NUM> having a flat shape and a side wall portion <NUM> that rises almost vertically from one end of the seat portion <NUM>, and an elastically deformable mounting leg <NUM> with a slot at a bottom of the seat portion <NUM>. The side wall portion <NUM> is formed with an arcuate surface 525a along the outer peripheral edge 614a of the outer flange <NUM>.

The stable seats <NUM> are preferably formed of a low friction resin such as polyacetal (POM) and are provided at four locations at <NUM>° intervals at the base of the inner flange <NUM> on the outer peripheral side as illustrated in <FIG> in this example. As another example, provision at three locations at <NUM>° intervals is also applicable. If the length of the stable seat <NUM> (the length along the circumferential direction of the inner flange <NUM>) is long, provision at two locations is applicable.

The stable seat <NUM> is mounted on the inner flange <NUM> along the outer peripheral edge 614a of the outer flange <NUM> of the rotating ring <NUM>. To attach the stable seat <NUM>, however, as illustrated in <FIG>, an engagement hole <NUM> may be drilled in the inner flange <NUM>, and the mounting leg <NUM> may be pushed into the engagement hole <NUM> while being elastically deformed.

Thus, by providing stable seats <NUM> on the inner flange <NUM> side in contact with the outer peripheral edge 614a of the outer flange <NUM> at a plurality of locations, the horizontal direction (radial direction) rattling of the rotating ring <NUM> can be prevented.

Next, to prevent vertical direction (axial direction) rattling, a protrusion <NUM> is provided in the interior of the cylindrical body <NUM> of the rotating ring <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. As described above, the vent holes <NUM> formed in the cylindrical part <NUM> are square in shape, so that there is an inner wall <NUM> in the cylindrical part <NUM> that forms each side of the square. A protrusion <NUM> is erected on the inner wall <NUM>.

The position of the protrusion <NUM> is at a position where it can contact the inner bottom surface <NUM> on the rear surface 630R of the duct cover <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In this example, the inner bottom surface <NUM> is located along three sides of the square openings of the duct <NUM>, while the protrusions <NUM> are located at four locations at <NUM>° intervals, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In this way, since the three protrusions <NUM> are always on the provisional surface <NUM> regardless of which rotational position the rotating ring <NUM> is in, the protrusion <NUM> will not deviate from the inner bottom surface <NUM>, but in order to reduce sliding frictional resistance, the smaller contact area per protrusion <NUM> to the inner bottom surface <NUM> preferably should be as small as possible.

The protruding height of the protrusion <NUM> is the height at which the tip of the protrusion <NUM> contacts the inner bottom surface <NUM> when the rotating ring <NUM> is covered by the duct cover <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Thus, by providing a protrusion <NUM> inside the cylindrical body <NUM> of the rotating ring <NUM> that contacts the inner bottom surface <NUM> on the rear surface 630R of the duct cover <NUM>, the vertical direction (axial direction) rattling of the rotating ring <NUM> can be prevented.

As described above, the rotating ring <NUM> is rotated in the opening <NUM> of the partitioning plate unit <NUM> by the motor <NUM>. However, it is necessary to take measures to prevent wind leakage from the gap between the inner flange <NUM> on the opening <NUM> side and the outer flange <NUM> on the rotating ring <NUM> side, and to prevent dew condensation, especially during cooling operation.

Therefore, in this example, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a sealing material <NUM> is provided on the inner surface of the outer flange <NUM> (on the surface side facing the inner flange <NUM>). The sealing material <NUM> need only have moderate elasticity and heat insulation properties. However, because of being rubbed against the inner flange <NUM> as the rotating ring <NUM> rotates, a tape or sheet of fibers made of polyacetal (often short fibers), for example, planted on a tape-shaped or sheet-shaped base material is preferably employed as a low friction fiber.

In this configuration, a clearance between the inner flange <NUM> and the outer flange <NUM> can be set substantially on the order of <NUM> to <NUM> to prevent wind leakage. Also, the structure free from dew condensation is achieved. The sliding frictional resistance associated with the rotation of the rotating ring <NUM> can also be reduced.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a boss <NUM>, which is used to couple the rotating unit <NUM>, is provided at a plurality of locations on the rear surface 610R side of the rotating ring <NUM>.

In the fan unit <NUM> described in the preceding <FIG>, the blower fan <NUM> is fixed to the top panel <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> via the fan mount <NUM> in the fan casing <NUM>, and the fan motor <NUM> is also fixed to the top panel <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> via its motor mount <NUM>. This requires a large number of parts to be used and a high degree of accuracy in positioning the blower fan <NUM> and fan motor <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a fan unit 30A with improvement in such points. In the embodiment here also, a sirocco fan is preferably used as the blower fan <NUM>, and the fan motor <NUM> is used as-is without any particular change required.

In this fan unit 30A, the fan casing <NUM> of the blower fan <NUM> is divided into two compartments, a lower casing <NUM> and an upper casing <NUM>, both of which are made of synthetic resin material, and the lower casing <NUM> includes a motor mount <NUM> of the fan motor <NUM> formed integrally.

A bearing part that supports the blower fan <NUM> of the lower casing <NUM> and a bearing part that supports the fan motor <NUM> of the motor mount <NUM> (both illustrations are omitted) are pre-centered when the motor mount <NUM> is integrally molded in the lower casing <NUM>. The upper casing <NUM> may be secured to the lower casing <NUM> with a locking device <NUM> such as a snapping lock, for example.

With the fan unit 30A, the blower fan <NUM> and the fan motor <NUM> may be coupled in advance, and by opening the upper casing <NUM>, the blower fan <NUM> may be housed in the lower casing <NUM>, and the fan motor <NUM> may be set on the motor mount <NUM>, so that positioning (centering) of the blower fan <NUM> and the fan motor <NUM> is easily performed.

Fixation of the outer body <NUM> to the top panel <NUM> does not have to be performed separately for the blower fan <NUM> and the fan motor <NUM> and all that is needed is to fix only the outer body mounting part (not illustrated) provided on the lower casing <NUM> to the top panel <NUM>.

Since this fan unit 30A is unitized by the smallest unit, it is only necessary to select the number of units to be used according to the blown out air volume and size of the air blowing part or the like required by the air conditioner, and there is no need to design a fan unit (blower) dedicated to each model with a different air volume. With this fan unit 30A, the air volume can be adjusted individually, thus enabling more detailed air conditioning operation.

As illustrated earlier in <FIG> and <FIG>, since the electrical component box <NUM> storing electrical components (not illustrated) for controlling the indoor unit <NUM> is mounted on an outer surface of the right side surface of the outer body <NUM>, that is, on the outer surface 113a of one of the side plates <NUM> on the side of the short side in this embodiment, the electrical component box <NUM> does not cause ventilation hindrance.

Referring also to <FIG>, the electrical component box <NUM> includes a box body <NUM> with a surface on the side facing the side panel 71b being a bottom surface thereof, and the bottom surface is opened as an opening 14a. In order to reduce the number of components, a portion of the box body <NUM> (the surface of the outer body <NUM> on the side facing the side plate <NUM>) is preferably formed from the above-described side plate <NUM>.

In this embodiment, a remote controller wiring terminal <NUM> is disposed to face the opening 14a of the electrical component box <NUM>, and lead wire <NUM>, such as a motor lead wire 143a and a switch board lead wire 143b, are drawn out from the opening 14a.

The cable storage part <NUM> is provided on the side of the inner surface 113b of the side plate <NUM>, where the electrical component box <NUM> is mounted. The cable storage part <NUM> also serves as a cable guide which stores and guides the drawing section of the lead wire <NUM> drawn out from the electrical component box <NUM> in a predetermined direction.

The cable storage part <NUM> is fitted into the drain pan <NUM> to be flush with the bottom surface 40R of the drain pan <NUM>. For this reason, a recess <NUM> for fitting the cable storage part <NUM> is formed at a corner of the bottom surface 40R of the drain pan <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cable storage part <NUM> has a guide groove <NUM> for guiding the drawing section of the lead wire <NUM> in a predetermined direction formed in the interior thereof, and claw strips <NUM> for guiding the lead wires <NUM>, <NUM> into the guide groove in a zigzag pattern are provided at an opening of the guide groove <NUM>.

The cable storage part <NUM> has, at both sides thereof, wiring guide grooves <NUM> formed for wiring the lead wire <NUM> along the bottom surface 40R of the drain pan <NUM>. The cable storage part <NUM> also has locking grooves <NUM>, having a clipping function, for pushing the drawing sections 143e of the lead wire <NUM> from the electrical component box <NUM> down formed at an edge of a side touching the side plate <NUM>.

In this manner, by disposing the cable storage part <NUM> on the side of the inner surface 113b of the side plate <NUM> on which the electrical component box <NUM> is mounted, a wiring substrate, not illustrated, with the lead wire <NUM> attached thereto can be inserted into the opening 14a of the electrical component box <NUM> to put the drawing section of the lead wire <NUM> to be flush with the bottom surface 40R of the drain pan <NUM>. The electrical component box <NUM> can be easily accessed during maintenance.

Subsequently, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electrical component box <NUM> is provided with a lid member <NUM> that blocks the opening 14a. The lid member <NUM> includes two members; a first lid portion <NUM> configured to block one end portion side of the opening 14a and a second lid portion <NUM> configured to cover the remaining part of the opening 14a.

In this embodiment, the first lid portion <NUM> is a semi-fixed lid which is rarely removed during maintenance, and the first lid portion <NUM> has a connection terminal part exposing hole <NUM> formed thereon having a square shape. <FIG> illustrates a remote controller wiring terminal 142a and a switch board 142b having a dip switch for registering an identification number or the like of itself in multiple air-conditioners as connection terminal parts provided in the connection terminal part exposing hole <NUM>.

In contrast, the second lid portion <NUM> is a lid on the side removed (opened) during maintenance and includes a box body opened in the bottom surface, which can cover the remote controller wiring terminal <NUM>.

The second lid portion <NUM> includes, at one end side thereof, a flange <NUM> to continue therefrom that covers a remote controller wiring terminal 142a portion of the connection terminal part exposing hole <NUM>, and a tongue strip <NUM> that engages the edge of the connection terminal part exposing hole <NUM> is formed at a tip of the flange <NUM>. The second lid portion <NUM> has, at the other end side thereof, screw holes <NUM> formed for the electrical component box <NUM>.

In this configuration, the second lid portion <NUM> can be mounted on the electrical component box <NUM> by engaging the tongue strip <NUM> with the edge of the connection terminal part exposing hole <NUM> and inserting and screwing screws <NUM> into the screw holes <NUM> on the other end side. The second lid portion <NUM> can be detached by removing the screw <NUM> and pulling out the tongue strip <NUM> from the connection terminal part exposing hole <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the side panel 71b of the decorative panel <NUM> (the right-side side panel 71bR in the illustrated example) is provided with an opening window <NUM> for maintenance to access the electrical component box <NUM>. If the opening window <NUM> is too large, the mechanical strength of the side panel 71b is lowered, and, in addition, the indoor air near the ceiling may flow in from the opening window <NUM> to the attic side and cause dew condensation on the outer body <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the air conditioner, the opening window <NUM> is smaller than the entire lid member <NUM> in a size that allows the second lid portion <NUM> to be taken out. Note that a side panel cover is normally mounted on the side panel 71b, and the opening window <NUM> is not visible, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In this configuration, during maintenance, access to the interior of the electrical component box <NUM> is enabled by only removing the above-described side panel cover and the second lid portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and, for example, the state of wiring connections of the remote controller wiring terminal <NUM> and the lead wires <NUM> can be checked easily.

Since the ceiling-embedded air conditioner is large, the decorative panel <NUM> is also heavy to some extent, so that the workability when mounting the body unit <NUM> to the bottom surface or easiness of work during maintenance for inspecting the electrical component box <NUM> and the fan unit <NUM>, or the like, by removing the decorative panel <NUM> needs to be considered.

Accordingly, to facilitate these works, the air conditioner is provided with a suspending member 18a on the body unit <NUM> side and a hook 18b attachable to and detachable from the suspending member 18a on the decorative panel <NUM> side, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the suspending member 18a has rotating shafts <NUM>, <NUM> formed by bending wire material such as a steel wire into a substantially U-shape and coaxially bending both ends at right angles in directions away from each other. The hook 18b preferably is a metallic substrate <NUM> having a locking claw <NUM> folded back into a substantially V-shape (or a U-shape) at an upper end thereof.

The suspending member 18a may be provided on the side plate <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> on the side of the long side. In this embodiment, however, the suspending member 18a is supported by the side plate <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> on the side of the short side rotatably via the rotating shafts <NUM>, <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> on which the suspending member 18a is mounted is provided with a receiving member 18c that axially supports the rotating shafts <NUM>, <NUM>.

Of the two side plates <NUM>, <NUM> on the side of the short side, the suspending member 18a is mounted on the side plate <NUM> on the opposite side from the side plate <NUM> on which the electrical component box <NUM> is mounted. In other words, the electrical component box <NUM> is mounted on one of the side plates <NUM>, and the suspending member 18a is mounted on the other side plate <NUM>.

The hook 18b is mounted on the decorative panel <NUM> side, but in this embodiment, is screwed to a short side frame <NUM> corresponding to the above-described side plate <NUM> of the frame <NUM> that reinforces the decorative panel <NUM>.

In this configuration, when the decorative panel <NUM> needs to be removed for, for example, performing maintenance of the electrical component box <NUM> or the like, the decorative panel <NUM> can be suspended from the outer body <NUM> of the body unit <NUM> by hooking the locking claw <NUM> of the hook 18b on the suspending member 18a.

According to this embodiment, in order to enable the hook 18b to be hooked easily on the suspending member 18a, the side panel 71b (the left-side side panel 71bL) is provided with an opening <NUM> for viewing the hook 18b from the air-conditioning room R side.

Note that the drain pan <NUM> may also be provided with the hook 18b to enable the drain pan <NUM> to be suspended from the body unit <NUM> in the same manner as the decorative panel <NUM>, although not illustrated.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the motor lead wire 143a drawn from the electrical component box <NUM> passes through the lead wire insertion hole <NUM> drilled in the drain pan <NUM>, is drawn into the blower chamber F in the outer body <NUM> and is connected to the fan motor <NUM>.

During cooling operation, cold air flows in the blower chamber F, and thus dew condensation may occur on the motor lead wire 143a, and the condensation water may infiltrate the lead wire connecting portion <NUM> of the fan motor <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. To prevent such an event, the following measures can be taken.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fan motor <NUM> is mounted on the top panel <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> via the motor mount <NUM> (see <FIG>). At this time, the lead wire connecting portion <NUM> is faced downward.

Although the lead wire connecting portion <NUM> is illustrated as facing upward in <FIG> for the convenience of drawing, the fan motor <NUM> is actually mounted on the top panel <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> via the motor mount <NUM> so that the lead wire connecting portion <NUM> faces downward, which is opposite from the top panel <NUM> (for example, see <FIG>).

In this embodiment, the motor mount <NUM> includes a side surface portion <NUM> substantially perpendicular to the top panel <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> as a predetermined portion where a cable clip <NUM>, described later, is provided. The side surface portion <NUM> is provided with the cable clip <NUM> configured to lock a portion of the motor lead wire 143a at a position closer to the top panel <NUM> than the lead wire connecting portion <NUM>.

In this configuration, since a substantially U-shaped water trap portion <NUM> formed from a portion of the motor lead wire 143a is formed between the lead wire connecting portion <NUM> and the cable clip <NUM>, even if dew condensation occurs on the motor lead wire 143a, the condensation water drips from the water trap portion <NUM> and does not infiltrate the lead wire connecting portion <NUM>.

Note that since the bottom surface of the outer body <NUM> is blocked by the drain pan <NUM>, the condensation water dripping from the water trap portion is received by the drain pan <NUM> and does not leak out from the outer body <NUM>. In addition, the lead wire insertion hole <NUM> of the drain pan <NUM> is closed by a lid <NUM> with a sealing material after insertion of the lead wire 143a.

As described before, the movable blowing part <NUM> includes the two left and right rotating units <NUM> (<NUM>, 78R). Such rotating units <NUM> include the vertical air vent deflector <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and thus the rotating unit <NUM> is mounted with a motor <NUM> configured to drive the vertical air vent deflector <NUM>.

In other words, the rotating unit <NUM> includes two motors; the motor (first motor) <NUM> that rotates the rotating unit <NUM> itself, and the motor (second motor) <NUM> for driving the vertical air vent deflector <NUM>.

The motor lead wire is connected to each of the first motor <NUM> and the second motor <NUM>. The first motor <NUM> is disposed at a fixed position, while the second motor <NUM> moves as the rotating unit <NUM> reciprocally rotates in a predetermined range of angles.

As the motor lead wire connected to the second motor <NUM> may move and repeatedly flex (bend) accordingly, the motor lead wire may disconnect or become entangled. To prevent such an event, the following measures can be taken. Referring now to <FIG>, the embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a partitioning plate unit <NUM> provided on a rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM>, <FIG> is a plan view illustrating a state in which the air blowing port (second air blowing port) <NUM> of the right rotating unit 78R is at a first rotational position facing the front long side 70a side of the decorative panel <NUM>, and <FIG> is a plan view illustrating a state in which the air blowing port <NUM> of the right rotating unit 78R is at a second rotational position facing the left short side 70d of the decorative panel <NUM>.

Note that the left-side and right-side rotating units <NUM>, 78R have the same configuration, and thus the right rotating unit 78R will be described.

Referring now to <FIG>, a motor lead wire <NUM> is wired along a predetermined inner edge of the decorative panel <NUM> on the rear surface 70R side, in this embodiment, the front edge of the partitioning plate unit <NUM> (inner edge of the decorative panel <NUM> on the side of the front long side 70a). The motor lead wire <NUM> is drawn from the electrical component box <NUM>.

The motor lead wire <NUM> includes a lead wire for the first motor <NUM> and a lead wire for the second motor <NUM>. However, illustration of the lead wire for the first motor <NUM> is omitted in the drawing. Note that the second motor <NUM> in this embodiment is also a stepper motor in the same manner as the first motor <NUM>.

The motor lead wire <NUM> includes a first wiring section <NUM> and a second wiring section <NUM>. The first wiring section <NUM> is a wiring portion wired along the front edge of the partitioning plate unit <NUM> and fixed by the locking member <NUM> of a hook shape, for example.

The motor lead wire <NUM> includes a plurality of flexible lead wires. In the first wiring section <NUM>, such lead wires are covered with an insulation tube, not illustrated, while in the second wiring section <NUM>, the above-described insulation tube is removed, and thus the flexible lead wires are exposed. The second wiring section <NUM> is a bendable wiring portion. Note that, in the drawing, the first wiring section <NUM> is depicted as a thick line, and the second wiring section <NUM> is depicted by a thin line.

Referring also to <FIG> and <FIG> together, the rotating unit 78R includes a connecter portion <NUM> for connecting the motor lead wire to the second motor <NUM>. The bendable second wiring section <NUM> is drawn from the wiring drawing portion <NUM> into the periphery of the rotating ring <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the rotating unit 78R and is connected to the connecter portion <NUM>.

The wiring drawing portion <NUM> includes a cylindrical shaped boss <NUM> erected therefrom for bending the bendable second wiring section <NUM> in one direction. In this embodiment, the boss <NUM> is disposed at <NUM>° in an upper right direction from the center of the rotating unit 78R, and the bendable second wiring section <NUM> is drawn to the periphery of the rotating unit 78R via the boss <NUM>.

Note that as regards the left rotating unit <NUM>, the boss <NUM> is disposed at <NUM>° in an upper left direction from the center of the rotating unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and the bendable second wiring section <NUM> is drawn to the periphery of the rotating unit <NUM> via the boss <NUM> in the same manner as the right rotating unit 78R.

The bendable second wiring section <NUM> has a length along the peripheral surface of the rotating unit 78R when the rotating unit 78R is at a second rotational position illustrated in <FIG>. In other words, the bendable second wiring section <NUM> has a length extending at least from the boss <NUM> along the peripheral surface of the rotating unit 78R to the connecter portion <NUM>, which is at a second rotational position.

Note that the rotating unit 78R rotates in normal use by a rotational range of <NUM>° facing the front and the side. However, the second rotational position in <FIG> exceeds <NUM>°, and actually, the rotating unit 78R is designed to be able to rotate to this extent.

The bendable second wiring section <NUM> has a length as described above and thus bends to form a U-shaped folded section <NUM> as the rotating unit 78R rotates from the second rotational position in <FIG> to the first rotational position in <FIG>.

A wiring storing section <NUM> for the folded section <NUM> of the bendable second wiring section <NUM> is provided at a front edge side of the periphery of the rotating unit 78R of the partitioning plate unit <NUM>. The wiring storing section <NUM> is provided with a guide wall <NUM> for moving the folded section <NUM> of the bendable second wiring section <NUM> along the direction of rotation of the rotating unit 78R.

When the rotating unit 78R rotates counterclockwise from the second rotational position toward the first rotational position, the folded section <NUM> moves counterclockwise in the same manner while keeping in contact with the guide wall <NUM>, while when the rotating unit 78R rotates clockwise from the first rotational position toward the second rotational position, the folded section <NUM> moves clockwise in the same manner while keeping in contact with the guide wall <NUM>.

In this configuration, since the folded section (bent section) <NUM> of the bendable second wiring section <NUM> moves as the rotating unit 78R rotates, there is no risk of disconnection of the second wiring section <NUM>. Also, there is no risk of contact and thus entanglement of the bendable second wiring section <NUM> with the first wiring section <NUM> on the fixed side.

According to this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, a wiring cover <NUM> is provided, which is configured to cover at least a wiring storing section <NUM>, and preferably configured to cover a portion from the wiring storing section <NUM> to, for example, <NUM>/<NUM> turn of the rotating unit 78R. This prevents the bendable second wiring section <NUM> from popping out or coming off.

As described based on <FIG>, the air blowing part <NUM> is in particular formed as a raised part <NUM> in which a portion of the panel part <NUM> is raised in a trapezoidal shape in a cross-section along the long side 70a toward the air-conditioned room R.

The raised part <NUM> is ellipsoidal, which is a rectangular shape with rounded corners including two parallel lines of equal length and two semicircles, and has a side surface (peripheral surface) forming an inclined surface, has a fixed blowing part <NUM> at a center portion thereof and includes movable blowing parts <NUM> (<NUM>, 77R) on both left and right sides.

Referring to <FIG>, to assemble the decorative panel <NUM>, the truncated cone-shaped rotating units <NUM> (<NUM>, 78R) constituting the movable blowing part <NUM> (<NUM>, 77R) are disposed on both sides of the raised part <NUM>, and a central blowing unit <NUM> is disposed therebetween as the fixed blowing part <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

Dummy flaps <NUM> are disposed between the left rotating unit <NUM> and the central blowing unit <NUM>, and between the right rotating unit 78R and the central blowing unit <NUM> to give an appearance that the first air blowing port <NUM> and the second air blowing port <NUM> are continuous, respectively. The rotating unit <NUM>, the central blowing unit <NUM>, and the dummy flaps <NUM> may be fixed to the partitioning plate unit <NUM> provided on the rear surface 70R side of the decorative panel <NUM> by claws or screws, or the like.

Although not illustrated, a motor for driving the vertical air vent deflector <NUM> is mounted on a side surface of the central blowing unit <NUM>. The dummy flaps <NUM> each have a mounting leg <NUM> for the partitioning plate unit <NUM> on the back surface side thereof.

At an upper edge of the central blowing unit <NUM> in <FIG> (the lower edge when viewed from the air-conditioned room R side), a plurality of locking holes (not illustrated) for locking the cover panel <NUM> of the fixed blowing part <NUM> described later is formed. Also, the dummy flaps <NUM> each include a locking hole <NUM> for locking the above-described cover panel <NUM> formed on a flat upper surface thereof.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixed blowing part <NUM> includes a cover panel <NUM> disposed between the rotating units <NUM>, 78R. The cover panel <NUM> integrally includes a main panel part <NUM> and a rear panel part <NUM>.

Note that <FIG> is a perspective view of the decorative panel <NUM> viewed from the front, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the decorative panel <NUM> viewed from the rear. In <FIG>, an illustration of the rotating unit <NUM>, the central blowing unit <NUM>, and the dummy flaps <NUM> is omitted.

The main panel part <NUM> has a flat surface having the same height as the top surface <NUM> of the rotating units <NUM>, 78R covering a lower part of the fixed blowing part <NUM> (lower part when viewed from the air-conditioned room R, upper part in <FIG>). The rear panel part <NUM> is formed between the main panel part <NUM> and the air suction part <NUM> to cover the back surface side of the fixed blowing part <NUM> integrally with the main panel part <NUM>.

At both ends of the main panel part <NUM>, arcuate portions <NUM> that match portions of edges of the top surfaces <NUM> of the rotating units <NUM>, 78R are formed. At both ends of the rear panel part <NUM>, hem portions <NUM> are formed along conical surfaces of the rotating units <NUM>, 78R.

The arcuate portions <NUM> of the main panel part <NUM> and the hem portions <NUM> of the rear panel part <NUM> are formed continuously, and portions of the rotating units <NUM>, 78R are covered by the arcuate portions <NUM> and the hem portions <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the front end edge <NUM> of the main panel part <NUM> includes locking claws (first locking claws) <NUM> for the above-described locking holes of the central blowing unit <NUM> and locking claws (second locking claws) <NUM> for locking holes <NUM> of the dummy flaps <NUM> formed thereon. Note that the shape (configuration) of these locking claws <NUM>, <NUM> are omitted from the illustration for the convenience of drawing, and only the locations are illustrated by black squares.

Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, screw retaining pieces <NUM> to be screwed to the interior of the air suction part <NUM> are provided at a plurality of (four in this example) locations on a rear end edge <NUM> of the rear panel part <NUM>.

In this configuration, the first locking claws <NUM> of the main panel part <NUM> are locked in the locking holes <NUM> of the central blowing unit <NUM>, and the second locking claws <NUM> of the main panel part <NUM> are locked in the locking holes <NUM> of the dummy flaps <NUM>, and then the screw retaining pieces <NUM> of the rear panel part <NUM> are screwed to predetermined portions in the air suction part <NUM> so that the screwing locations (mounting parts) or the like of the fixed blowing part <NUM>, the movable blowing part <NUM>, and the dummy flaps <NUM> to the partitioning plate unit <NUM> can be hidden by the cover panel <NUM>.

Also, since the screw retaining pieces <NUM> of the rear panel part <NUM> are blindfolded by the suction grill <NUM> mounted on the air suction part <NUM>, the design is not compromised.

During cooling operation, cold air is blown out from the air blowing port (first air blowing port) <NUM> of the fixed blowing part <NUM> and the air blowing port (second air blowing port) <NUM> of the rotating unit <NUM> as the movable blowing part <NUM>, and thus water droplets due to dew condensation adhere to the peripheries of the air blowing ports <NUM>, <NUM>, which cause water dripping when grown.

In the present invention, water dripping due to dew condensation is prevented without compromising the design of the decorative panel <NUM>, but rather with improved design.

As a basic configuration, surface texturing (also referred to as emboss processing) is applied to a panel surface <NUM> around the air blowing ports <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the surface texture is not a fine satin surface texture, but a coarse dot-patterned surface texture (dotted surface texture) in the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the dotted surface texture <NUM> includes a number of projections <NUM>, and the intervals of the adjacent projections <NUM>, <NUM> are set to be wider than the normal satin surface texture having fine recesses and projections. Accordingly, the dew condensation generated on the panel surface <NUM> is accelerated to flow along the panel surface <NUM>, which prevents the dew condensation from growing and causing water dripping from.

Note that the surface texture includes a number of recesses and projections, but the recesses and projections are intended to mean relative shapes. Therefore, in the description in this specification, the recesses <NUM> refer to portions between the projections <NUM>, that is, the portions other than the projections <NUM>.

As a preferable aspect, the projections <NUM> have a cylindrical shape, having a diameter of <NUM>, and the intervals between the adjacent projections <NUM>, <NUM> may be in a range from <NUM> to <NUM> (especially <NUM>), and the height of the projections <NUM> may preferably be <NUM>.

To improve the appearance quality with a high design function, preferably, only top surfaces of the projections <NUM> are matted to make them rough surfaces, and the recesses <NUM> other than the projections <NUM> have glossy finishing (mirrored surfaces). This creates a sense of luxury.

Claim 1:
An air conditioner, comprising:
a box-type body unit (<NUM>) configured to be disposed in a ceiling back space (T2) of an air-conditioned room (R); and
a decorative panel (<NUM>) mounted on a bottom surface of the body unit (<NUM>) along a ceiling surface of the air-conditioned room (R), the decorative panel (<NUM>) being provided with an air suction part (<NUM>) and an air blowing part (<NUM>) which includes air blowing ports (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein a dotted surface texture (<NUM>) including a plurality of projections (<NUM>) is formed along a panel opening that forms the air blowing ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the decorative panel (<NUM>), and the projections (<NUM>) are disposed at intervals which allows condensation water adhered to a panel surface (<NUM>) of the decorative panel (<NUM>) to flow along the panel surface (<NUM>),
wherein the air blowing part (<NUM>) has a raised part (<NUM>) protruding toward the air-conditioned room (R) more than the panel surface (<NUM>) of the decorative panel (<NUM>), and the entire raised part (<NUM>) forms the dotted surface texture (<NUM>) including the plurality of projections (<NUM>).