Patent Description:
For example, <CIT> discloses a panel attachment structure for attaching a panel (inlet panel) to an opening portion of a casing of an indoor unit in a manner of being able to be opened and closed. In this panel attachment structure, a second arm having a rotation center positioned on an outer side of the casing slides with respect to a first arm inside the casing so that the inlet panel provided in the second arm is opened and closed.

Accordingly, exposure of cutout portions (notches) required for movement of arms during opening and closing of an inlet panel to the outside is avoided so that a good appearance of an indoor unit is not impaired when the inlet panel is closed. <CIT> deals with an air conditioner indoor unit and an air conditioner.

Incidentally, when an indoor unit is assembled, a technology allowing arms in which an inlet panel is provided to be simply attached to a casing is desired. On the other hand, during maintenance of the indoor unit, a technology allowing the arms to be simply detached from the casing is desired.

That is, indoor units in which arms are easily attached and detached with respect to a casing and a good appearance is not impaired when an inlet panel is closed are desired.

The present invention has been made in order to resolve the foregoing problems, and an object thereof is to provide an indoor unit in which arms are easily attached and detached with respect to a casing and a good appearance is not impaired when an inlet panel is closed.

In order to resolve the foregoing problems, an indoor unit as defined in claim <NUM> is provided, and includes: a casing having a front surface and holder accommodation portions opening on the front surface and recessed so as to slope upward approaching toward a back side of the casing; arm holders which are inserted into the holder accommodation portions from a front side of the casing and which are installed inside of the holder accommodation portions so as to be detachable therefrom; arms which are inserted into the holder accommodation portions from the front side of the casing and each of which a first end is held by the arm holder so that the arm is allowed to turn around an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the casing; and an inlet panel to which a second end of each of the arms is fixed. The range of movement of the arms around the axis is set between a closed position where the inlet panel is disposed in a manner of overlapping the front surface of the casing and openings of the holder accommodation portions are closed by the inlet panel, and an open position where the inlet panel is disposed forward and upward from the front surface of the casing and the front surface of the casing is exposed.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide an indoor unit in which arms are easily attached and detached with respect to a casing and a good appearance is not impaired when an inlet panel is closed.

Hereinafter, an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

An indoor unit is an apparatus which is provided indoors and performs indoor-air conditioning through heat exchange between a refrigerant dealing with an outdoor unit provided outdoors and indoor air. An air conditioning apparatus is constituted of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an indoor unit <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, a fan <NUM>, a heat exchanger <NUM>, a Filter part <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, an arm holder <NUM>, a bolt <NUM>, an arm <NUM> and an inlet panel <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> is constituted of a plurality of panels and installed on an indoor wall surface W. The casing <NUM> forms an outer shell of the indoor unit <NUM>. The casing <NUM> accommodates various equipment and defines a space for circulating indoor air on an inner side. The casing <NUM> has a back surface panel <NUM>, a bottom panel <NUM>, a top surface panel <NUM>, a pair of side surface panels <NUM>, a front panel <NUM>, a connection panel <NUM>, and a flap <NUM>.

The back surface panel <NUM> is a panel fixed to the indoor wall surface W with a mounting plate or the like (not illustrated) therebetween. The back surface panel <NUM> has a back surface <NUM> spreading along the wall surface W and facing the wall surface W. In the present embodiment, a direction in which the back surface <NUM> of the back surface panel <NUM> faces the wall surface W face each other will be referred to as "an installation direction Di". Therefore, the installation direction Di is a direction perpendicular to the wall surface W.

One side, of both sides in the installation direction Di, in a direction away from the wall surface W will be referred to as "a foreside Dif", and a side opposite thereto will be referred to as "a backside Dib". The back surface <NUM> has an oblong shape having a direction parallel to the wall surface W, of a horizontal direction when viewed from the foreside Dif (front), as a longitudinal direction.

The bottom panel <NUM> is connected to a lower edge of the back surface panel <NUM> and spreading in a direction intersecting the wall surface W. The bottom panel <NUM> according to the present embodiment spreads in the horizontal direction and is integrally connected to the back surface panel <NUM> in a manner of standing upright from the back surface panel <NUM>. The bottom panel <NUM> has a bottom surface <NUM> spreading in the horizontal direction and facing below. The bottom surface <NUM> spreads in a direction perpendicular to a spreading direction of the back surface <NUM>.

The top surface panel <NUM> is a panel connected to an upper edge that is a side opposite to the lower edge of the back surface panel <NUM> and spreading in a direction intersecting the wall surface W. The top surface panel <NUM> according to the present embodiment spreads in the horizontal direction and is integrally connected to the back surface panel <NUM> in a manner of standing upright from the back surface panel <NUM>.

That is, the top surface panel <NUM> spreads parallel to a spreading direction of the bottom panel <NUM> on the upward side of the bottom panel <NUM>. The bottom panel <NUM> and the top surface panel <NUM> face each other at positions separated from each other.

The top surface panel <NUM> has a head step <NUM> spreading in the horizontal direction and directed to the upward side. The head step <NUM> spreads in a direction perpendicular to the spreading direction of the back surface <NUM>. In the present embodiment, an end edge (side) on the head step <NUM> on the foreside Dif becomes a top edge 1a of the casing <NUM>. The top edge 1a is positioned on the furthest upward side in the casing <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a direction in which the bottom panel <NUM> and the top surface panel <NUM> face each other will be referred to as "a vertical direction Dv". One side, of both sides in the vertical direction Dv, in a direction directed to the top surface panel <NUM> from the bottom panel <NUM> will be simply referred to as "an upside Dvu", and the other side on a side opposite thereto will be simply referred to as "a downside Dvd". Therefore, the vertical direction Dv matches with the direction of gravity.

The bottom surface <NUM> of the bottom panel <NUM> according to the present embodiment has an oblong shape having a direction parallel to the wall surface W, of the horizontal direction when viewed from the downside Dvd (below), as the longitudinal direction. The head step <NUM> of the top surface panel <NUM> according to the present embodiment has an oblong shape having a direction parallel to the wall surface W, of the horizontal direction when viewed from the upside Dvu (above), as the longitudinal direction.

A plurality of suctioning ports <NUM> for suctioning indoor air are formed in the top surface panel <NUM>. That is, the top surface panel <NUM> has the plurality of suctioning ports <NUM>. The plurality of suctioning ports <NUM> are arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction. Each of the suctioning ports <NUM> penetrates the top surface panel <NUM> in the vertical direction Dv. Each of the suctioning ports <NUM> has a rectangular shape (oblong shape) when viewed from the upside Dvu.

The side surface panels <NUM> is a panel connecting the end edges of the back surface panel <NUM>, the bottom panel <NUM>, and the top surface panel <NUM> extending in the longitudinal direction to each other. In the present embodiment, a direction that matches with this longitudinal direction will be referred to as "a width direction Dw". Therefore, the width direction Dw is a direction perpendicular to both the installation direction Di and the vertical direction Dv.

The right side, of both sides in the width direction Dw, when the back surface panel <NUM> is viewed from the foreside Dif such that the top surface panel <NUM>, the back surface panel <NUM>, and the bottom panel <NUM> are arranged from the upside Dvu will be simply referred to as "one side Dwr", and a side opposite thereto will be simply referred to as "the other side Dwl".

One side surface panel <NUM> of the pair of side surface panels <NUM> has a side surface <NUM> connecting the end edges of the back surface panel <NUM>, the bottom panel <NUM>, and the top surface panel <NUM> on the one side Dwr to each other and directed to the one side Dwr.

The other side surface panel <NUM> of the pair of side surface panels <NUM> has another side surface <NUM> connecting the end edges of the back surface panel <NUM>, the bottom panel <NUM>, and the top surface panel <NUM> on the other side Dwl to each other and directed to the other side Dwl.

Therefore, the pair of side surface panels <NUM> are disposed such that the back surface panel <NUM>, the bottom panel <NUM>, and the top surface panel <NUM> are sandwiched therebetween in the width direction Dw. Each of the side surfaces <NUM> spreads in a direction perpendicular to any of the directions in which the back surface <NUM>, the bottom surface <NUM>, and the head step <NUM> respectively spread.

The front panel <NUM> is disposed on the foreside Dif of the back surface panel <NUM> and connects the end edges of the top surface panel <NUM> and the pair of side surface panels <NUM> on the foreside Dif to each other. The front panel <NUM> spreads parallel to a spreading direction of the back surface panel <NUM>. The front panel <NUM> has a front surface <NUM> spreading in a direction along the wall surface W and directed to the foreside Dif.

A pair of main openings <NUM> and a pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM> are formed in the front panel <NUM>. That is, the front panel <NUM> has the pair of main openings <NUM> and the pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM>. The pair of main openings <NUM> are disposed in a manner of being adjacent to each other in the width direction Dw. Each of the main openings <NUM> when viewed from the foreside Dif has an oblong shape having the width direction Dw as the longitudinal direction.

The pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM> are arranged in the width direction Dw. One holder accommodation portion <NUM> of the pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM> is disposed on the one side Dwr of the main opening <NUM>, of the pair of main openings <NUM> adjacent to each other in the width direction Dw, disposed on the one side Dwr.

The other holder accommodation portion <NUM> of the pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM> is disposed on the other side Dwl of the main opening <NUM>, of the pair of main openings <NUM> adjacent to each other in the width direction Dw, disposed on the other side Dwl. The detailed constitution of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> will be described below.

The connection panel <NUM> is a panel disposed on the downside Dvd of the front panel <NUM> and connecting the end edges of the bottom panel <NUM> and the pair of side surface panels <NUM> on the foreside Dif and the end edge of the front panel <NUM> on the downside Dvd to each other.

The connection panel <NUM> has a connection surface <NUM> having a curved surface directed to the foreside Dif as it goes toward the end edge of the front panel <NUM> on the downside Dvd from the end edge of the bottom panel <NUM> on the foreside Dif.

A discharge port <NUM> for discharging air which has been suctioned through the suctioning ports <NUM> of the top surface panel <NUM> is formed in the connection panel <NUM>. That is, the connection panel <NUM> has the discharge port <NUM>. The discharge port <NUM> when viewed from the foreside Dif or the downside Dvd is formed to have a rectangular shape (oblong shape) having the width direction Dw as the longitudinal direction. The discharge port <NUM> according to the present embodiment spreads along the curve of the connection surface <NUM>.

The flap <NUM> is provided in the discharge port <NUM> of the connection panel <NUM> and changes a direction of air discharged through the discharge port <NUM>. The flap <NUM> can shift between a state of covering the discharge port <NUM> from the foreside Dif and a state of not covering the discharge port <NUM>.

For example, the flap <NUM> is provided in the connection panel <NUM> and supported by a turning shaft (not illustrated) about a turning axis (not illustrated) extending in the width direction Dw in a manner of being able to turn around the turning axis. For example, a turning amount of the flap <NUM> is controlled on the basis of an input signal input from the outside.

As described above, a space for accommodating various equipment and circulating indoor air is formed by each of the elements constituting the casing <NUM>. For the sake of convenience of description, in the present embodiment, this space will be referred to as "an accommodation space R".

The fan <NUM> is a cross-flow fan which can introduce indoor air into the casing <NUM>. The fan <NUM> extends in the width direction Dw inside the accommodation space R. The fan <NUM> is held by the back surface panel <NUM> about a rotation shaft (not illustrated) extending in the width direction Dw in a manner of being able to rotate around the rotation shaft.

The fan <NUM> rotates inside the accommodation space R so as to suction air through the suctioning ports <NUM> of the top surface panel <NUM> and discharge suctioned air through the discharge port <NUM> of the bottom panel <NUM>. For example, a rotation frequency of the fan <NUM> is controlled on the basis of an input signal input from the outside.

The heat exchanger <NUM> performs heat exchange between air introduced into the accommodation space R by the fan <NUM> and a refrigerant. That is, the heat exchanger <NUM> cools or warms air introduced into the accommodation space R. The heat exchanger <NUM> is constituted of a heat transfer pipe in which the refrigerant circulates, a plurality of fins through which this heat transfer pipe is inserted in the width direction Dw, and the like. For example, the heat exchanger <NUM> is provided in a manner of surrounding the fan <NUM> from the upside Dvu inside the accommodation space R.

The filter part <NUM> filters impurities such as dust included in air suctioned through the suctioning ports <NUM> of the top surface panel <NUM>. The filter part <NUM> is disposed on the upside Dvu of the heat exchanger <NUM> inside the accommodation space R. That is, the filter part <NUM> is disposed between the casing <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM>. Therefore, the filter part <NUM> supplies air from which impurities such as dust have been eliminated to the heat exchanger <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> is a device for controlling the turning amount of the flap <NUM>, rotation of the fan <NUM>, and the like. The control unit <NUM> is connected to the flap <NUM> and the fan <NUM> by wire or radio. The control unit <NUM> is provided inside the accommodation space R and disposed on the one side Dwr of the fan <NUM>, the heat exchanger <NUM>, and the filter part <NUM>.

For example, when the indoor unit <NUM> includes a sensor (not illustrated) provided in the casing <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> generates an input signal on the basis of detected information acquired by the sensor. The control unit <NUM> transmits a generated input signal to the flap <NUM> or the fan <NUM>.

Here, a constitution of the pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM> provided in the front panel <NUM> will be described. When the front panel <NUM> is viewed from the foreside Dif, the pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM> are disposed with a relationship of bilateral symmetry therebetween.

Hereinafter, the holder accommodation portion <NUM>, of the pair of holder accommodation portions <NUM> provided in the front panel <NUM>, disposed on the one side Dwr will be described. Description of the holder accommodation portion <NUM> disposed on the other side Dwl will be omitted.

The holder accommodation portion <NUM> is a recessed part opening on the front surface <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> and recessed toward the upside Dvu approaching toward the backside Dib. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the holder accommodation portion <NUM> has a holder support portion <NUM>, a first engagement portion <NUM>, and a side wall portion <NUM>.

The holder accommodation portion <NUM> includes an opening 50a on the front surface <NUM>. The opening 50a according to the present embodiment has a rectangular shape (oblong shape) when viewed from the foreside Dif. The longitudinal direction of the opening 50a matches with the vertical direction Dv.

The holder support portion <NUM> extends to the upside Dvu as it goes toward the backside Dib from the end edge of the opening 50a on the downside Dvd. The holder support portion <NUM> has a base end surface 520a, a fastening surface 520b, an upper surface 520c, and a support surface 520d. The base end surface 520a is a surface connected to the end edge of the opening 50a on the front surface <NUM> on the downside Dvd and inclined in a manner of being directed to the upside Dvu with respect to the front surface <NUM>.

The fastening surface 520b is a surface connected to the end edge on the base end surface 520a on the backside Dib and spreading in a manner of rising toward the upside Dvu from the end edge. Therefore, the fastening surface 520b is directed to the foreside Dif.

A fastening hole 520e opening on the fastening surface 520b and recessed toward the backside Dib from this fastening surface 520b is formed in the holder support portion <NUM>. The fastening hole 520e has a screw thread allowing the bolt <NUM> to be fastened thereto.

The upper surface 520c is a surface connected to the end edge on the fastening surface 520b on the upside Dvu and spreads in the horizontal direction from the end edge. The support surface 520d is a surface connected to the end edge on the upper surface 520c on the backside Dib and inclined in a manner of being directed to the foreside Dif with respect to the upper surface 520c. The support surface 520d according to the present embodiment is formed to be inclined, for example by <NUM>° to <NUM>°, with respect to a virtual horizontal plane (spreading direction of the upper surface 520c).

The first engagement portion <NUM> extends toward the upside Dvu from the end edge of the holder support portion <NUM> on the backside Dib. The first engagement portion <NUM> according to the present embodiment is formed of a material having flexibility. The first engagement portion <NUM> has a first base portion <NUM> and a first claw portion <NUM>. The first base portion <NUM> is a member having a flat plate shape extending upward from the end edge of the holder support portion <NUM> on the backside Dib.

Therefore, the first base portion <NUM> extends in a direction intersecting a spreading direction of the support surface 520d above the support surface 520d. The first base portion <NUM> has a forward surface 522a connected to the end edge on the support surface 520d on the backside Dib and spreading in a manner of rising toward the upside Dvu from the end edge. The forward surface 522a is directed to the foreside Dif and connected to the support surface 520d.

The first claw portion <NUM> is a member having a flat plate shape extending to the foreside Dif as it goes toward the upside Dvu from the end edge of the first base portion <NUM> on the upside Dvu. Therefore, the first claw portion <NUM> extends in a direction intersecting the spreading direction of the support surface 520d above the support surface 520d.

The first claw portion <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a first surface 523a spreading in a direction perpendicular to the spreading direction of the support surface 520d and connected to the forward surface 522a, and a restraint surface 523b directed to a side opposite to the first surface 523a.

The side wall portion <NUM> spreads in a manner of connecting the end edge of the opening 50a on the other side Dwl, the holder support portion <NUM>, and the first engagement portion <NUM> to each other. The side wall portion is formed of a material having flexibility.

The side wall portion <NUM> has a side wall surface 524a spreading in a direction perpendicular to the width direction Dw and directed to the one side Dwr on the other side Dwl of the holder support portion <NUM> and the first engagement portion <NUM>.

The arm holder <NUM> is a member inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> from a front side of the casing <NUM> and installed inside of the holder accommodation portion <NUM> so as to be detachable therefrom. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the arm holder <NUM> has a holding portion <NUM>, a second engagement portion <NUM>, and a fixed portion <NUM>.

The holding portion <NUM> has a main body portion <NUM> and an arm insertion portion <NUM> formed in the main body portion <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> is a member placed on the support surface 520d when being inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM>, and the main body portion <NUM> corresponds to a main body part in the arm holder <NUM>.

Here, a direction in which the main body portion <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> will be referred to as "an insertion direction Ds". The insertion direction Ds is a direction that matches with a direction in which the holder support portion <NUM> extends. One side, of both sides in the insertion direction Ds, in a direction away from the front surface <NUM> will be referred to as "a back side Dsb", and a side opposite thereto will be referred to as "a forward side Dsf".

The main body portion <NUM> has a first holder surface 600a directed to the one side Dwr, a second holder surface 600b directed to the other side Dwl that is a side opposite to the first holder surface 600a, and a third holder surface 600c connecting the first holder surface 600a and the second holder surface 600b to each other and directed to the forward side Dsf. When the main body portion <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM>, the second holder surface 600b faces the side wall surface 524a of the side wall portion <NUM> and comes into contact therewith.

Hereinafter, a constitution of each of the elements (the arm insertion portion <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM>, the second engagement portion <NUM>, and the fixed portion <NUM>) provided in the arm holder <NUM> when the holding portion <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> and the main body portion <NUM> is placed on the support surface 520d will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the arm insertion portion <NUM> is a groove formed to be recessed toward the other side Dwl from the first holder surface 600a of the main body portion <NUM>. The arm insertion portion <NUM> guides and turnably holds the arm <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> from the foreside Dif. The arm insertion portion <NUM> has a guide portion <NUM> and a bearing portion <NUM>.

The guide portion <NUM> guides the arm <NUM> inserted from the forward side Dsf to the back side Dsb. The guide portion <NUM> has a first guide surface 602a, a second guide surface 602b, and a first abutment surface 602c.

The first guide surface 602a is a surface extending in a direction away from the front surface <NUM> and facing the support surface 520d of the holder support portion <NUM>. The second guide surface 602b is a surface extending along the first guide surface 602a and facing the first guide surface 602a.

The first abutment surface 602c is a surface connecting the first guide surface 602a and the second guide surface 602b to each other and directed to the one side Dwr on the other side Dwl of the first guide surface 602a and the second guide surface 602b.

The end edges of the first guide surface 602a, the second guide surface 602b, and the first abutment surface 602c on the forward side Dsf lead to the third holder surface 600c in the main body portion <NUM>. Therefore, the guide portion <NUM> serving as a groove opens on the third holder surface 600c.

The bearing portion <NUM> is connected to the respective end edges of the first guide surface 602a, the second guide surface 602b, and the first abutment surface 602c on the back side Dsb from the backside Dib and holds the arm <NUM> guided by the guide portion <NUM>. The bearing portion <NUM> has a bearing surface 603c, a first connection surface 603a, a second connection surface 603b, and a second abutment surface 603d.

The bearing surface 603c is an inner circumferential surface of a half-cylinder recessed toward the backside Dib when viewed from the one side Dwr. The first connection surface 603a is a surface connecting the first guide surface 602a and the bearing surface 603c to each other and directed to the downside Dvd. The second connection surface 603b is a surface connecting the second guide surface 602b and the bearing surface 603c to each other and directed to the upside Dvu.

The second abutment surface 603d is a surface connecting the first connection surface 603a, the second connection surface 603b, and the bearing surface 603c to each other and directed to the one side Dwr on the other side Dwl of the first guide surface 602a, the second guide surface 602b, and the bearing surface 603c.

Therefore, an inner surface of the arm insertion portion <NUM> serving as a groove is constituted of the first guide surface 602a, the second guide surface 602b, and the first abutment surface 602c of the guide portion <NUM>, and the bearing surface 603c, the first connection surface 603a, the second connection surface 603b, and the second abutment surface 603d of the bearing portion <NUM>. The bearing portion <NUM> according to the present embodiment is positioned on the upside Dvu of the opening 50a of the holder accommodation portion <NUM>.

The second engagement portion <NUM> is a member integrally formed on the main body portion <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM> so as to be protruded therefrom toward the back side Dsb from the main body portion <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM> and able to be interlocked with the first engagement portion <NUM>. The second engagement portion <NUM> has a second base portion <NUM> and a second claw portion <NUM>.

The second base portion <NUM> is a member having a flat plate shape extending toward the back side Dsb from the main body portion <NUM>. The second base portion <NUM> has a facing surface 610a facing the support surface 520d. The facing surface 610a spreads parallel to the spreading direction of the support surface 520d.

The second claw portion <NUM> is a member having a flat plate shape extending to the backside Dib as it goes toward the downside Dvd from the end edge of the second base portion <NUM> on the back side Dsb. The second claw portion <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a reception surface 611b spreading in a direction perpendicular to a spreading direction of the facing surface 610a and connected to the facing surface 610a, and a second surface 611a directed to a side opposite to the reception surface 611b.

Therefore, the reception surface 611b and the second surface 611a of the second claw portion <NUM> spread parallel to spreading directions of the first surface 523a and the restraint surface 523b of the first claw portion <NUM> in the first engagement portion <NUM>. The reception surface 611b and the second surface 611a of the second claw portion <NUM> are disposed at positions overlapping the first surface 523a and the restraint surface 523b when viewed in the insertion direction Ds.

Here, a form related to involvement between the first engagement portion <NUM> and the second engagement portion <NUM> when the main body portion <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> will be described. When the main body portion <NUM> is inserted toward the back side Dsb in the holder accommodation portion <NUM>, the second surface 611a of the second claw portion <NUM> comes into contact with the first surface 523a of the first claw portion <NUM>.

When the main body portion <NUM> is further inserted toward the back side Dsb from a position where the first surface 523a and the second surface 611a come into contact with each other, the first surface 523a of the first claw portion <NUM> receives a pressure from the second surface 611a of the second claw portion <NUM>. At this time, since the first engagement portion <NUM> has flexibility, the first claw portion <NUM> and the first base portion <NUM> connected to the first claw portion <NUM> are bent toward the back side Dsb.

Due to bending of the first claw portion <NUM> and the first base portion <NUM> toward the back side Dsb, the second surface 611a of the second claw portion <NUM> can go over the end edge on the first surface 523a of the first claw portion <NUM> and moves to the back side Dsb beyond the restraint surface 523b of the first claw portion <NUM>. That is, the second claw portion <NUM> goes over the first claw portion <NUM> from the forward side Dsf toward the back side Dsb.

Since the first engagement portion <NUM> has flexibility, at the same time as the second claw portion <NUM> goes over the first claw portion <NUM>, bending of the first claw portion <NUM> and the first base portion <NUM> toward the back side Dsb is released, and the first claw portion <NUM> and the first base portion <NUM> return to original positions.

When the first claw portion <NUM> and the first base portion <NUM> return to the original positions and insertion of the main body portion <NUM> to the back side Dsb ends, the restraint surface 523b of the first claw portion <NUM> and the reception surface 611b of the second claw portion <NUM> face each other in the insertion direction Ds and come into contact with each other.

At this time, due to a dead weight of the main body portion <NUM>, a tensile force is applied to the second engagement portion <NUM> (the second claw portion <NUM> and the second base portion <NUM>) toward the forward side Dsf, but the reception surface 611b of the second claw portion <NUM> is pressed by the restraint surface 523b of the first claw portion <NUM> so as to receive a force toward the back side Dsb from this restraint surface 523b.

Due to a balance between a force applied to the restraint surface 523b from the reception surface 611b on the basis of the dead weight of the main body portion <NUM> and a force applied to the reception surface 611b from the restraint surface 523b on the basis of a material constituting the first engagement portion <NUM> having flexibility, the main body portion <NUM> stands still on the support surface 520d. Through a series of the foregoing operation, engagement between the first engagement portion <NUM> and the second engagement portion <NUM> is completed.

The fixed portion <NUM> is a member integrally formed on the main body portion <NUM> and fixed to the holder support portion <NUM>. The fixed portion <NUM> itself is fixed to the holder support portion <NUM> so that the main body portion <NUM> is subjected to positioning on the support surface 520d.

The fixed portion <NUM> has a fixed surface 62a extending from the main body portion <NUM> toward the forward side Dsf and being flush with the front surface <NUM> on the inner side of the opening 50a. A recessed groove 62b opening on the fixed surface 62a and recessed toward the backside Dib from this fixed surface 62a is formed in the fixed portion <NUM>.

Further, a fixed portion fastening hole 62d opening on a groove bottom surface 62c of this recessed groove 62b and penetrating the fixed portion <NUM> toward the backside Dib from this groove bottom surface 62c is formed in the fixed portion <NUM>. The fixed portion fastening hole 62d has a screw thread allowing the bolt <NUM> to be fastened thereto.

That is, the fixed portion <NUM> according to the present embodiment is subjected to spot-facing treatment such that a head portion of the bolt <NUM> does not protrude to the foreside Dif beyond the fixed surface 62a. This fixed portion fastening hole 62d provided in the fixed portion <NUM> is formed to have the same measurement as the fastening hole 520e provided in the holder support portion <NUM>, is disposed from the foreside Dif with respect to this fastening hole 520e, and overlaps the fastening hole 520e in a manner of being connected thereto in the installation direction Di.

Due to the bolt <NUM> fastened to the fixed portion fastening hole 62d and the fastening hole 520e connected to each other from the foreside Dif, the fixed portion <NUM> is fixed to the holder support portion <NUM>. That is, the bolt <NUM> is attached to the holder support portion <NUM> from the foreside Dif so that the fixed portion <NUM> is fixed to the holder support portion <NUM>. In other words, since the bolt <NUM> is attached to the casing <NUM> from the foreside Dif, the arm holder <NUM> is fixed to the casing <NUM>.

The arm <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> from the front side of the casing <NUM>, and one end thereof is held by the arm holder <NUM> so that the arm <NUM> is allowed to turn around an axis O extending in the width direction Dw which is a longitudinal direction of the casing <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the arm <NUM> has a shaft portion <NUM> and an arm main body <NUM>.

The shaft portion <NUM> is a member having a columnar shape extending in the width direction Dw and having an outer circumferential surface 81a and a pair of end surfaces 81b. The shaft portion <NUM> extends in the width direction Dw in a state in which the arm <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM>. That is, the end surface 81b, of the pair of end surfaces 81b arranged in the width direction Dw, on the one side Dwr is directed to the one side Dwr, and the end surface 81b, of the pair of end surfaces 81b, on the other side Dwl is directed to the other side Dwl.

The shaft portion <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> in a state of extending in the width direction Dw and then is inserted into the arm insertion portion <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM> in the arm holder <NUM>. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of description, a part bisecting the shaft portion <NUM> in the width direction Dw and positioned on the other side Dwl will be referred to as "an insertion portion <NUM>", and a part positioned on the one side Dwr will be referred to as "a non-insertion portion <NUM>". Therefore, only the insertion portion <NUM> of the shaft portion <NUM> is inserted into the arm insertion portion <NUM> from the front surface <NUM> side.

The shaft portion <NUM> which has been inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> from the front surface <NUM> side is held by the bearing portion <NUM> of the arm insertion portion <NUM> in a manner of being able to turn around the axis O. The axis O according to the present embodiment matches with a centerline of the bearing surface 603c (a centerline of the cylinder) serving as an inner circumferential surface of a half-cylinder in the bearing portion <NUM>.

Here, a form when the shaft portion <NUM> is inserted into the arm insertion portion <NUM> will be described. When the insertion portion <NUM> in the shaft portion <NUM> is inserted between the first guide surface 602a and the second guide surface 602b of the guide portion <NUM> in the arm insertion portion <NUM>, the outer circumferential surface 81a of the insertion portion <NUM> comes into contact with the first guide surface 602a or the second guide surface 602b. The end surface 81b directed to the other side Dwl of the insertion portion <NUM> abuts the first abutment surface 602c.

When a force causing the shaft portion <NUM> to be directed to the upside Dvu or the backside Dib is applied, while the outer circumferential surface 81a of the insertion portion <NUM> comes into sliding contact with the first guide surface 602a or the second guide surface 602b and the end surface 81b directed to the other side Dwl comes into sliding contact with the first abutment surface 602c, the shaft portion <NUM> in its entirety is guided in a direction in which the first guide surface 602a and the second guide surface 602b extend, that is, to the backward side Dsb.

The outer circumferential surface 81a of the insertion portion <NUM> after being guided to the backward side Dsb by the guide portion <NUM> comes into sliding contact with the first connection surface 603a or the second connection surface 603b of the bearing portion <NUM>, and the end surface 81b directed to the other side Dwl is guided to the backside Dib by the first connection surface 603a and the second connection surface 603b while coming into sliding contact with the second abutment surface 603d.

Therefore, the shaft portion <NUM> in its entirety guided to the backward side Dsb by the guide portion <NUM> is guided to the following bearing surface 603c positioned on the backside Dib of the first connection surface 603a and the second connection surface 603b by the first connection surface 603a and the second connection surface 603b of the bearing portion <NUM>. When the insertion portion <NUM> is guided to a position where it comes into contact with the bearing surface 603c, the shaft portion <NUM> in its entirety is held by this bearing surface 603c in a manner of being able to turn around the axis O.

The arm main body <NUM> is a member connected to the shaft portion <NUM> and turning about the axis O in response to turning of the shaft portion <NUM>. Specifically, one end of the arm main body <NUM> is fixed to the non-insertion portion <NUM> in the shaft portion <NUM>. That is, the arm main body <NUM> integrally turns around the axis O with the shaft portion <NUM>.

The arm main body <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> when the shaft portion <NUM> is at a position about the axis O. The arm main body <NUM> has a U-shape inclined to the foreside Dif when viewed from the one side Dwr. The shaft portion <NUM> is inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM> together with this arm main body <NUM> in a state in which the arm main body <NUM> is fixed. Therefore, the shaft portion <NUM> and the arm main body <NUM> are not separately inserted into the holder accommodation portion <NUM>.

The inlet panel <NUM> is a panel capable of shifting between a state of covering the front surface <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> from the foreside Dif and a state of not covering the front surface <NUM> in response to turning of the arms <NUM> around the axis O. The inlet panel <NUM> is connected to the other end of each of the arm main bodies <NUM>.

The inlet panel <NUM> covers the front surface <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> from the foreside Dif so as to close the main openings <NUM> opening on the front surface <NUM>, and the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM>.

Here, a form of the inlet panel <NUM> when the arms <NUM> turn will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, before the arms <NUM> turn, the inlet panel <NUM> connected to the other end of each of the arms <NUM> is disposed in a manner of overlapping the front surface <NUM> of the front panel <NUM> at a position covering the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM>.

On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the arms <NUM> turn around the axis O, the inlet panel <NUM> connected to the other end of each of the arms <NUM> moves to the foreside Dif and the upside Dvu from the position covering the openings 50a and shifts to the position where the front surface <NUM> is opened. In the present embodiment, the former position (<FIG>) will be referred to as "a closed position", and the latter position (<FIG>) will be referred to as "an open position".

In the present embodiment, the end edge of the inlet panel <NUM> on the upside Dvu becomes a top edge 9a. The top edge 9a of the inlet panel <NUM> is positioned below the top edge 1a of the casing <NUM> when the inlet panel <NUM> is positioned at the closed position.

According to the indoor unit <NUM> of the embodiment, the casing <NUM> opens on the front surface <NUM>, and the holder accommodation portions <NUM> recessed toward the upside Dvu as they go toward the backside Dib are provided. Further, the arm holders <NUM> respectively inserted into the holder accommodation portions <NUM> are fixed to the insides of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner.

Further, the arms <NUM> turnably held by the arm holders <NUM> turn in a manner of being able to move between the closed position where the front surface <NUM> is covered such that the inlet panel <NUM> covers the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> and the open position where the inlet panel <NUM> has moved forward and upward from the closed position and the front surface <NUM> has opened.

Accordingly, when the inlet panel <NUM> is positioned at the open position, for example, compared to a constitution having the holder accommodation portions <NUM> simply recessed to be directed to the backside Dib, the arms <NUM> extending from the arm holders <NUM> to the inlet panel <NUM> can be positioned farther to the downside Dvd. That is, the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> can be positioned farther to the downside Dvd.

In other words, it is possible to curb a situation in which the openings 50a on the front surface <NUM> are positioned on the upside Dvu. Therefore, when the inlet panel <NUM> is positioned at the closed position where the front surface <NUM> side is covered, the inlet panel <NUM> can completely cover the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> from the front side. Namely, a good appearance when the inlet panel <NUM> is closed is not impaired.

In addition, since the arm holders <NUM> are attached and detached inside the holder accommodation portions <NUM>, the arms <NUM> held by these arm holders <NUM> and the inlet panel <NUM> fixed to these arms <NUM> can be attached and detached with respect to the casing <NUM> at the same time. Therefore, the arms <NUM> are easily attached and detached with respect to the casing <NUM>.

In addition, according to the indoor unit <NUM> of the embodiment, when the inlet panel <NUM> is positioned at the closed position, the top edge 9a of the inlet panel <NUM> is positioned below the top edge 1a of the casing <NUM>.

That is, since the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> can be positioned farther to the downside Dvd, the measurement of the inlet panel <NUM> in the vertical direction Dv can be reduced and the inlet panel <NUM> can cover the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> from the front side. Therefore, the inlet panel <NUM> can be made compact and reduced in weight.

In addition, according to the indoor unit <NUM> of the embodiment, the arm holders <NUM> can be fixed to the casing <NUM> using simple members such as bolts <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to curb increase in costs and man□hour related to manufacturing of the indoor unit <NUM>.

In addition, according to the indoor unit <NUM> of the embodiment, in a condition where the holding portions <NUM> of the arm holders <NUM> are inserted into the holder accommodation portions <NUM>, the second engagement portions <NUM> of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> are engaged with the first engagement portions <NUM> of the arm holders <NUM>. Accordingly, since the holding portions <NUM> stand still on the support surfaces 520d, work of fixing the fixed portions <NUM> to the holder support portions <NUM> using the bolts <NUM> becomes easy.

In addition, according to the indoor unit <NUM> of the embodiment, the holding portions <NUM> in the arm holders <NUM> respectively have the guide portions <NUM> guiding the shaft portions <NUM> of the arms <NUM> which have been inserted into the holder accommodation portions <NUM> to the bearing portions <NUM>. Therefore, the arms <NUM> fixed to the insides of the holder accommodation portions <NUM> can be simply attached to the arm holders <NUM>.

In addition, according to the indoor unit <NUM> of the embodiment, the bearing portions <NUM> are positioned on the upside Dvu of the openings 50a of the holder accommodation portions <NUM>. That is, the shaft portions <NUM> of the arms <NUM> can be rotatably held by the arm holders <NUM> on the upside Dvu of the openings 50a. Accordingly, a structure which is difficult to be directly formed in the casing <NUM> can be realized by the arm holders <NUM>.

Hereinabove, an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, specific constitutions are not limited to the constitutions of the embodiment, and addition, omission, replacement, and other changes of the constitutions can be made within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiment and is limited by only the claims.

Claim 1:
An indoor unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a casing (<NUM>) having a front surface and holder accommodation portions (<NUM>) opening on the front surface and recessed so as to slope upward approaching toward a back side of the casing;
arm holders (<NUM>) which are inserted into the holder accommodation portions from a front side of the casing and which are installed inside of the holder accommodation portions so as to be detachable therefrom;
arms (<NUM>) which are inserted into the holder accommodation portions from the front side of the casing and each of which a first end is held by the arm holder so that the arm is allowed to turn around an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the casing; and
an inlet panel (<NUM>) to which a second end of each of the arms is fixed,
wherein the range of movement of the arms around the axis is set between a closed position where the inlet panel is disposed in a manner of overlapping the front surface of the casing and openings of the holder accommodation portions are closed by the inlet panel, and an open position where the inlet panel is disposed forward and upward from the front surface of the casing and the front surface of the casing is exposed,
characterized in that the indoor unit (<NUM>) further includes bolts (<NUM>) each fastened to the casing (<NUM>) from the front side thereof to fix the arm holder (<NUM>) to the casing,
wherein the holder accommodation portions (<NUM>) each include:
a holder support portion (<NUM>) having a support surface supporting the arm holder (<NUM>) from below thereof; and
a first engagement portion (<NUM>) which is flexible and extending upward from the support surface in a direction intersecting the support surface, and
wherein the arm holders each include:
a holding portion (<NUM>) which is placed on the support surface and holding the arm (<NUM>) so as to allow to be turned around the axis;
a second engagement portion (<NUM>) which is integrally formed on the holding portion so as to be protruded therefrom and which is engaged with the first engagement portion in a condition where the holding portion is inserted into the holder accommodation portion; and
a fixed portion (<NUM>) which is integrally formed on the holding portion so as to be protruded therefrom and which is installed on the holder support portion by fastening the bolt (<NUM>) to the casing (<NUM>).