Indoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. national stage application of PCT/JP2015/083752 filed on Dec. 1, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus including a front panel with improved design property.

BACKGROUND ART

In a related-art indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, there is given one in which a design panel constructing a front surface side of a front panel is formed of a transparent member, and a coating is applied on a back surface side of the front panel so that the design of the coated surface is transmitted through the transparent member to appear on an outer appearance of the front of the indoor unit, thereby enhancing design property of the indoor unit (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

In Patent Literature 1, a base panel formed of an opaque member and provided, on its back surface side, with hinges to rotatably mount the front panel onto a front surface of an indoor unit body is mounted to the design panel to construct the back surface side of the front panel.

Further, the design panel has fixing holes formed in both end portions in a vertical direction, and the base panel has claw portions formed on both the end portions in the vertical direction. Each of the claw portions of the base panel is inserted into a corresponding one of the fixing holes of the design panel. In this manner, the base panel is mounted on a back surface side of the design panel.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5061812

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

In Patent Literature 1, there has been a problem of degrading the design property of the front panel when the front panel is opened from the indoor unit body. This is because the fixing holes of the design panel are visually recognized from outside and the claw portions of the base panel are seen through the fixing holes.

Further, there has been a problem in that, even when the fixing holes of the design panel are formed into a recessed shape not to be visually recognized, the claw portions of the base panel are seen through portions each having a recessed shape because the design panel is formed of the transparent member.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus including a front panel that is improved in design property and has a front surface constructed by a design panel formed of a transparent member.

Solution to Problem

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus including a front panel provided on a front surface side of an indoor unit body, the front panel including a base panel formed of an opaque member, and a design panel formed of a transparent member, and having a design layer on a back surface of the design panel. The base panel has a front surface including a first side wall portion formed at an end portion of the base panel in a vertical direction, and extending along a horizontal direction, a second side wall portion formed on a more inner side than the first side wall portion, and extending along the horizontal direction, a groove portion formed between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, and having a recessed shape continuous along the horizontal direction, and a plurality of first fitting portions provided at intervals on an inner surface side of the first side wall portion, and aligned along the horizontal direction. The design panel has the back surface including a flange formed on a more inner side than an end portion of the design panel in the vertical direction, and protruding along the horizontal direction, and a plurality of second fitting portions provided at intervals on an outer surface side of the flange, and aligned along the horizontal direction. Each of the plurality of first fitting portions includes a claw portion having a protruding shape, and each of the plurality of second fitting portions includes a recess having a recessed shape, or each of the plurality of first fitting portions includes a recess having a recessed shape, and each of the plurality of second fitting portions includes a claw portion having a protruding shape. In the front panel, the design panel is mounted to a front surface side of the base panel, the flange of the design panel is received in the groove portion of the base panel, and the plurality of first fitting portions of the base panel and the plurality of second fitting portions of the design panel are fitted to each other.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention, in the front panel, the flange of the design panel is received in the groove portion of the base panel, and the first fitting portions of the base panel and the second fitting portions of the design panel are fitted to each other. In this manner, the design panel is mounted to the front surface side of the base panel to cover the base panel. In this case, at the side portion of the front panel in the vertical direction, the first fitting portions are formed on the inner surface side of the first side wall portion of the opaque base panel. Further, the second fitting portions of the design panel that is transparent but has the design layer formed on its back surface side are positioned on the inner side of the first side wall portion of the opaque base panel. Thus, the first fitting portions of the base panel and the second fitting portions of the design panel are not visually recognized from outside, and hence it is possible to improve the design property of the front panel having the front surface constructed by the design panel formed of the transparent member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 are a perspective view of a front surface of a base panel of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and an enlarged perspective view of a part of the front surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for illustrating the front surface of the base panel of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for illustrating a back surface of the base panel of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for illustrating front surfaces of design panels of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 are a perspective view of back surfaces of the design panels of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and an enlarged perspective view of a part of the back surfaces.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for illustrating a front surface of a front panel of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention, in a state before the design panels are mounted to the base panel.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view for illustrating the front surface of the front panel of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view for illustrating a back surface of the front panel of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line Y-Y of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line Z-Z of FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1 of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to embodiments described below. Further, in the drawings referred to below, the size relationship between components may be different from the reality in some cases.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the indoor unit is seen from a front side of the indoor unit. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, there is illustrated a state in which a front panel 20a is opened from an indoor unit body 100. In FIG. 2, a part on the left side of FIG. 2 is illustrated as a front surface side of the indoor unit.

In the following description, for ease of understanding, directional terms (such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, and “left”) are used as appropriate. The terms are used for the purpose of description, but do not limit the invention of the subject application. Further, in Embodiment 1, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, and “left” are used under a state in which the indoor unit is seen from the front side of indoor unit unless otherwise noted.

With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, a configuration of the indoor unit is described below.

The indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 supplies conditioned air into an air-conditioned space such as an inside of a room using a refrigeration cycle configured to circulate refrigerant. In Embodiment 1, there is exemplified a case where the indoor unit is a wall-mounted type to be mounted to a wall surface of the air-conditioned space.

The indoor unit body 100 includes a front panel 20a, an upper air inlet 4, and an air outlet 5. The front panel 20a includes a back case 1 arranged on a back surface side of the indoor unit body 100 and mounted to a wall surface, a base panel 2 arranged on a front surface side of the indoor unit body 100, and having a central recess 11 and a front air inlet 12 formed in the base panel 2, and design panels 3 mounted to a front surface side of the base panel 2. The upper air inlet 4 is formed in an upper portion of the indoor unit body 100, and is configured to mainly suck indoor air into the indoor unit body 100. The air outlet 5 is formed in a lower portion of the indoor unit body 100, and is configured to supply the conditioned air into the air-conditioned space.

An air-sending fan 6 and a heat exchanger 7 are accommodated in the indoor unit body 100. The air-sending fan 6 sucks the indoor air through the upper air inlet 4 and the front air inlet 12, and blows out the conditioned air through the air outlet 5. The heat exchanger 7 is arranged to cover the air-sending fan 6 from above, and is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air, to thereby generate the conditioned air. These components define an airflow path in the indoor unit body 100. Further, an electric component box (not shown) and a drain pan 8 are arranged in the indoor unit body 100. A circuit board and other components are accommodated in the electric component box. The drain pan 8 is arranged below a lower end portion of the heat exchanger 7, and is configured to collect water condensed on the heat exchanger 7.

The air-sending fan 6 is, for example, a cross flow fan, and the heat exchanger 7 is, for example, a fin-tube-type heat exchanger. However, the air-sending fan 6 and the heat exchanger 7 are not limited to these examples.

Further, a filter 9 configured to remove dust and other matters contained in the sucked indoor air is arranged between the upper air inlet 4 and the heat exchanger 7 and between the front air inlet 12 and the heat exchanger 7. In addition, an up-and-down airflow direction adjusting flap 10 configured to control a direction of a flow of blown-out air is arranged in the air outlet 5.

Next, a flow of the air in the indoor unit body 100 is briefly described.

First, the air-sending fan 6 causes the indoor air to flow through the upper air inlet 4 and the front air inlet 12 of the indoor unit body 100 into the indoor unit body 100. In this case, dust and other matters contained in the air are removed by the filter 9. While the indoor air is passing through the heat exchanger 7, the indoor air is heated or cooled by the refrigerant circulating in the heat exchanger 7, and is changed into the conditioned air. Then, after a direction of a flow of the conditioned air is adjusted by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting flap 10, the conditioned air is blown out through the air outlet 5 to an outside of the indoor unit body 100, that is, to the air-conditioned space.

FIG. 3 are a perspective view of a front surface of the base panel 2 of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and an enlarged perspective view of a part of the front surface. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for illustrating the front surface of the base panel 2 of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a back surface of the base panel 2 of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, a positional relationship of recesses 2d is illustrated by drawing lines from positions of the recesses 2d, and the illustration of the recesses 2d is omitted.

The base panel 2 is formed of an opaque member, for example, an opaque resin, and hence the back surface side is not seen through the front surface side. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the front surface of base panel 2 has a flat surface shape except for some regions. Further, the base panel 2 has a rectangular shape. Under a state in which the indoor unit body 100 is mounted to the wall surface, in front view, a longitudinal direction of the base panel 2 corresponds to a lateral direction, that is, a horizontal direction, whereas a transverse direction of the base panel 2 corresponds to an up-and-down direction, that is, a vertical direction. Further, the base panel 2 includes a base panel upper portion 15, a base panel lower portion 16, a central recess 11, and connection portions 17.

The central recess 11 is formed at a center of the base panel 2 in the up-and-down direction in front view to extend from an inner side of a left end portion 2f1 to an inner side of a right end portion 2f2. Thus, the center of the base panel 2 in the up-and-down direction is recessed from the front surface side toward the back surface side. Further, the central recess 11 is recessed from the front surface side toward the back surface side, and the front air inlet 12 (see FIG. 2) is formed at a lower part of the central recess 11. The formed position of the central recess 11 need not be strictly center in the up-and-down direction.

Further, in the base panel 2, the rectangular base panel upper portion 15 is provided above the central recess 11 in front view, and the rectangular base panel lower portion 16 is provided below the central recess 11 in front view. Further, on the back surface of the base panel 2, the plurality of connection portions 17 are provided along the longitudinal direction. The base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16 are connected to each other by the connection portions 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in each of the front surface of the base panel upper portion 15 and the front surface of the base panel lower portion 16, a first side wall portion 2c is formed at each end portion 2a in the transverse direction to extend from the left end portion 2f1 to the right end portion 2f2 along the longitudinal direction. Further, on an inner surface side of the first side wall portion 2c, the plurality of recesses 2d each having a recessed shape are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction. Further, on a more inner side than the first side wall portion 2c, a second side wall portion 2e is formed to extend from the left end portion 2f1 to the right end portion 2f2 along the longitudinal direction. The first side wall portion 2c and the second side wall portion 2e face each other. On an outer surface side of the second side wall portion 2e, a plurality of ribs 2j each having a protruding shape are provided at intervals, and aligned along the longitudinal direction. The ribs 2j are provided at positions shifted from claw portions 3c in the longitudinal direction.

Further, a groove portion 2b is formed between the first side wall portion 2c and the second side wall portion 2e to extend from the left end portion 2f1 to the right end portion 2f2 along the longitudinal direction.

The groove portion 2b has a recessed shape continuous along the longitudinal direction, and the first side wall portion 2c and the second side wall portion 2e protrude from the groove portion 2b toward the front surface side.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the formed positions of the recesses 2d in an upper end portion 2a1 and the formed positions of the recesses 2d in a lower end portion 2a2 of the base panel upper portion 15 in the transverse direction are shifted by a length A in the longitudinal direction, and the formed positions of the recesses 2d in an upper end portion 2a1 and the formed positions of the recesses 2d in a lower end portion 2a2 of the base panel lower portion 16 in the transverse direction are shifted by the length A in the longitudinal direction. This is for the purpose of, when the design panels 3 are mounted to the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16, preventing the design panels 3 from being mounted upside down. When the design panel 3 does not need to be prevented from being mounted upside down, the formed positions of the recesses 2d in the upper end portion 2a1 and the formed positions of the recesses 2d the lower end portion 2a2 of the base panel upper portion 15 in the transverse direction need not be shifted in the longitudinal direction, and the formed positions of the recesses 2d in the upper end portion 2a1 and the formed positions of the recesses 2d the lower end portion 2a2 of the base panel lower portion 16 in the transverse direction need not be shifted in the longitudinal direction.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, on each of a right and left sides on the back surface of the base panel upper portion 15, a hinge 2i is provided for mounting the front panel 20a to a front surface of the indoor unit body 100. The hinges 2i are inserted into hinge holes (not shown) formed in the front surface of the indoor unit body 100 so that the front panel 20a is openably and closably mounted to the front surface of the indoor unit body 100. The number of hinges 2i is not limited to two. Further, a flange 2g is formed on respective end portions 2f of each of the back surface of the base panel upper portion 15 and the back surface of the base panel lower portion 16 in the longitudinal direction, and the flanges 2g each protrudes toward the back surface side.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for illustrating front surfaces of the design panels 3 of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 are a perspective view for illustrating back surfaces of the design panels 3 of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and an enlarged perspective view of a part of the back surfaces. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 6. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, there are illustrated two design panels 3 arranged in the up-and-down direction.

The design panel 3 is formed of a transparent member, for example, a transparent resin, and a design layer 3f is formed in the back surface of the design panel 3. In the design layer 3f, coloring, patterning, or painting is implemented by, for example, coating or printing. In this manner, the design layer 3f can be seen from the front surface side through the transparent resin. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the entire front surface has a flat surface shape. Further, the design panel 3 has a rectangular shape. Under a state in which the indoor unit body 100 is mounted to the wall surface, in front view, a longitudinal direction of the design panel 3 corresponds to a lateral direction, that is, a horizontal direction, whereas a transverse direction of the design panel 3 corresponds to an up-and-down direction, that is, a vertical direction.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, at positions that are close to end portions 3a in the transverse direction of the back surface of the design panel 3 and more inner side than the end portions 3a, first flanges 3b are formed to protrude toward the back surface side along the longitudinal direction. Further, at end portions 3g in the longitudinal direction, second flanges 3e are formed to protrude toward the back surface side along the transverse direction. Further, on outer surface sides of the first flanges 3b, a plurality of claw portions 3c each having a protruding shape are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction. These claw portions 3c are formed at positions corresponding to the recesses 2d of the base panel 2. In this case, the claw portions 3c protrude toward the outer sides of the design panels 3.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for illustrating a front surface of the front panel 20a of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the present invention, in a state before the design panels 3 are mounted to the base panel 2. FIG. 12 is a perspective view for illustrating the front surface of the front panel 20a of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view for illustrating a back surface of the front panel 20a of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line Y-Y of FIG. 12. FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line Z-Z of FIG. 12. FIG. 12 and FIG. 16 are also used as illustrations of front panels 20b, 20c, and 20d of Embodiments 2 to 4 of the present invention described later. Further, a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12, a sectional view taken along the line Y-Y of FIG. 12, and a sectional view taken along the line Z-Z of FIG. 12 are sectional views of an upper side of the front panel 20a, that is, sectional views in which the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel upper portion 15. However, the same applies to sectional views of a lower side of the front panel 20a, that is, sectional views in which the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel lower portion 16.

The rectangular front panel 20a, which is mounted to the front surface of the indoor unit body 100, includes the base panel 2 and the design panels 3. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the design panel 3 is mounted to each of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16 to cover the entire front surfaces of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, at a side portion of the front panel 20a in the transverse direction, the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is inserted into the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is received in the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is inserted into the recess 2d of the base panel 2. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is fitted to the recess 2d of the base panel 2. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the flange 2g of the base panel 2 is covered with the second flange 3e of the design panel 3 at a side portion of the front panel 20a in the longitudinal direction. Further, in the groove portion 2b, there are formed the plurality of ribs 2j along the longitudinal direction, and these ribs 2j are each brought into contact with the inner surface side of the first flange 3b.

In this case, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is fitted to the recess 2d of the base panel 2, to thereby restrict movements in a forward-backward direction and a left-right direction. Also, the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is brought into contact with the rib 2j, to thereby restrict movement in an up-down direction and coming off of the claw portion 3c. Further, when the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is operated, the first flange 3b is brought into contact with the rib 2j in this manner, thereby being capable of reducing a contact area of the design panel 3 to the base panel 2. As a result, a contact sound generated when the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is operated can be reduced.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, at the side portion of the front panel 20a in the transverse direction, the end portion 3a of the design panel 3 is positioned at the same height as that of the first side wall portion 2c of each of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16. Further, as described above, at the side portion of the front panel 20a in the longitudinal direction, the flange 2g of the base panel 2 is covered with the second flange 3e of the design panel 3. Thus, in front view, the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16 are hidden by the design panels 3. Further, in the transverse direction of the front panel 20a, the end portion 3a of the design panel 3 is positioned at the same height as that of the first side wall portion 2c of each of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16. Thus, when the indoor unit body 100 is viewed from the side surface of the front panel 20a, a boundary between the base panel 2 and the design panels 3 becomes less conspicuous, and hence the design property of the front panel 20a can be improved.

In Embodiment 1, the end portions 3a of the design panel 3 are positioned at the same height as those of the first side wall portions 2c of each of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16. However, their positional relationship is not limited to this configuration, and the end portion 3a of the design panel 3 only need to extend further outward than the first side wall portions 2c of each of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16. Also in this manner, in front view, the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16 are hidden by the design panels 3.

The mounting structure of the design panel 3 to the base panel upper portion 15 and the mounting structure of the design panel 3 to the base panel lower portion 16 are described above, and are the same as each other.

As described above, in the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of Embodiment 1, in the front panel 20a, the first flanges 3b of the design panels 3 are received in the groove portions 2b of the base panel 2, and the recesses 2d of the base panel 2 and the claw portions 3c of the design panels 3 are fitted to each other. In this manner, the design panels 3 are mounted to the front surface side of the base panel 2 to cover the base panel 2. In this case, at each of the side portions of the front panel 20a in the transverse direction, the recess 2d is formed on the inner surface side of the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Further, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 that is transparent but has the design layer 3f formed on its back surface side is positioned on the inner side of the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Thus, the recess 2d of the base panel 2 and the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 are not visually recognized from outside, and hence it is possible to improve the design property of the front panel 20a.

The front panel 20a of Embodiment 1 has the structure in which the design panel 3 is mounted to each of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16, but the structure is not limited to this configuration. For example, there may be employed a structure in which one design panel is mounted to a base panel constructed by only one of the base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16 and having no central recess 11 to cover the entire front surface of the base panel. Further, there may be employed a structure in which three or more design panels are mounted to the base panel to cover the entire front surface of the base panel. Also in such cases, the mounting structure of the front panel is the same as the structure described above.

The base panel upper portion 15 and the base panel lower portion 16 of Embodiment 1 correspond to the “base panel” of the present invention. The recess 2d corresponds to the “first fitting portion” of the present invention. The claw portion 3c corresponds to the “second fitting portion” of the present invention. The first flange 3b corresponds to the “flange” of the present invention.

Embodiment 2

Embodiment 2 of the present invention is described below, but (a part of) description of the matter overlapping with Embodiment 1 is omitted, and the same or corresponding components as those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference symbols.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12.

In a front panel 20b of Embodiment 2, instead of the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 and the recess 2d of the base panel 2 of Embodiment 1 that are illustrated in FIG. 14, a claw portion 2h having a protruding shape is provided on an inner surface side of a first side wall portion 2c of a base panel 2, and a recess 3h having a recessed shape is formed on an outer surface side of the first flange 3b of the design panel 3. Further, the rib 2j having a protruding shape is provided on the outer surface side of a second side wall portion 2e. The claw portion 2h protrudes toward an inner side of the base panel 2, and the rib 2j protrudes toward an outer side of the base panel 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, at a side portion of the front panel 20b in the transverse direction, the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is inserted into the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is received in the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. Further, the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 is inserted into the recess 3h of the design panel 3. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 is fitted to the recess 3h of the design panel 3. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, at the side portion of the front panel 20a in the longitudinal direction, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the flange 2g of the base panel 2 is covered with the second flange 3e of the design panel 3. Further, in the groove portion 2b, there are formed the plurality of ribs 2j along the longitudinal direction, and these ribs 2j are each brought into contact with the inner surface side of the first flange 3b of the design panel 3.

In this case, the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 is fitted to the recess 3h of the design panel 3, to thereby restrict movements in the forward-backward direction and the left-right direction. Also, the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is brought into contact with the rib 2j, to thereby restrict movement in the up-down direction and coming off of the claw portion 2h. Further, when the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is operated, the first flange 3b is brought into contact with the rib 2j in this manner, thereby being capable of reducing the contact area of the design panel 3 to the base panel 2. As a result, the contact sound generated when the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is operated can be reduced.

As described above, in the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of Embodiment 2, in the front panel 20b, the first flanges 3b of the design panels 3 are received in the groove portions 2b of the base panel 2, and the claw portions 2h of the base panel 2 and the recesses 3h of the design panels 3 are fitted to each other. In this manner, the design panels 3 are mounted to the front surface side of the base panel 2 to cover the base panel 2. In this case, at each of the side portions of the front panel 20a in the transverse direction, the claw portion 2h is provided on the inner surface side of the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Further, the recess 3h of the design panel 3 that is transparent but has the design layer 3f formed on its back surface side is positioned on the inner side of the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Thus, the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 and the recess 3h of the design panel 3 are not visually recognized from outside, and hence it is possible to improve the design property of the front panel 20b.

The claw portion 2h of Embodiment 2 corresponds to the “first fitting portion” of the present invention, and the recess 3h of Embodiment 2 corresponds to the “second fitting portion” of the present invention.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 of the present invention is described below, but (a part of) description of the matter overlapping with Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 is omitted, and the same or corresponding components as those of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference symbols.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, in the front panel 20a of Embodiment 1, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is provided on an outer surface side of the first flange 3b. However, as illustrated in FIG. 18, in a front panel 20c of Embodiment 3, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is provided on the inner surface side of the first flange 3b. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14, in the front panel 20a of Embodiment 1, the recess 2d of the base panel 2 is formed on the inner surface side of the first side wall portion 2c. However, as illustrated in FIG. 18, in the front panel 20c of Embodiment 3, the recess 2d of the base panel 2 is formed on the outer surface side of the second side wall portion 2e facing the first side wall portion 2c. Further, the rib 2j having a protruding shape is provided on the inner surface side of the first side wall portion 2c. The claw portion 3c protrudes toward the inner side of the design panel 3, and the rib 2j protrudes toward the inner side of the base panel 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, at a side portion of the front panel 20c in the transverse direction, the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is inserted into the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is received in the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. Further, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is inserted into the recess 2d of the base panel 2. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is fitted to the recess 2d of the base panel 2. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, at the side portion of the front panel 20a in the longitudinal direction, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the flange 2g of the base panel 2 is covered with the second flange 3e of the design panel 3. Further, in the groove portion 2b, there are formed the plurality of ribs 2j along the longitudinal direction, and these ribs 2j are each brought into contact with the outer surface side of the first flange 3b of the design panel 3.

In this case, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 is fitted to the recess 2d of the base panel 2, to thereby restrict movements in the forward-backward direction and the left-right direction. Also, the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is brought into contact with the rib 2j, to thereby restrict movement in the up-down direction and coming off of the claw portion 3c. Further, when the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is operated, the first flange 3b is brought into contact with the rib 2j in this manner, thereby being capable of reducing the contact area of the design panel 3 to the base panel 2. As a result, the contact sound generated when the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is operated can be reduced.

As described above, in the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of Embodiment 3, in the front panel 20c, the first flanges 3b of the design panels 3 are received in the groove portions 2b of the base panel 2, and the recesses 2d of the base panel 2 and the claw portions 3c of the design panels 3 are fitted to each other. In this manner, the design panels 3 are mounted to the front surface side of the base panel 2 to cover the base panel 2. In this case, at each of the side portions of the front panel 20c in the transverse direction, the recess 2d is formed in the second side wall portion 2e positioned on a more inner side than the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Further, the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 that is transparent but has the design layer 3f formed on its back surface side is positioned on the inner side of the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Thus, the recess 2d of the base panel 2 and the claw portion 3c of the design panel 3 are not visually recognized from outside, and hence it is possible to improve the design property of the front panel 20c.

The recess 2d of Embodiment 3 corresponds to the “first fitting portion” of the present invention, and the claw portion 3c of Embodiment 3 corresponds to the “second fitting portion” of the present invention.

Embodiment 4

Embodiment 4 of the present invention is described below, but (a part of) description of the matter overlapping with Embodiments 1 to 3 is omitted, and the same or corresponding components as those of Embodiments 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference symbols.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, in the front panel 20b of Embodiment 2, the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 is provided on the inner surface side of the first side wall portion 2c. However, as illustrated in FIG. 19, in a front panel 20d of Embodiment 4, the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 is provided on the outer surface side of the second side wall portion 2e. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 17, in the front panel 20b of Embodiment 2, the recess 3h of the design panel 3 is formed on the outer surface side of the first flange 3b. However, as illustrated in FIG. 19, in the front panel 20d of Embodiment 4, the recess 3h of the design panel 3 is formed on the inner surface side of the first flange 3b. Further, the rib 2j having a protruding shape is provided on the inner surface side of the first side wall portion 2c. The claw portion 2h protrudes toward the outer side of the base panel 2, and the rib 2j protrudes toward the inner side of the base panel 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, at a side portion of the front panel 20c in the transverse direction, the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is inserted into the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the first flange 3b of the design panel 3 is received in the groove portion 2b of the base panel 2. Further, the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 is inserted into the recess 3h of the design panel 3. In this manner, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 is fitted to the recess 3h of the design panel 3. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, at the side portion of the front panel 20a in the longitudinal direction, the design panel 3 is mounted to the base panel 2 such that the flange 2g of the base panel 2 is covered with the second flange 3e of the design panel 3. Further, in the groove portion 2b, there are formed the plurality of ribs 2j along the longitudinal direction, and these ribs 2j are each brought into contact with the outer surface side of the first flange 3b of the design panel 3.

As described above, in the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of Embodiment 4, in the front panel 20d, the first flanges 3b of the design panels 3 are received in the groove portions 2b of the base panel 2, and the claw portions 2h of the base panel 2 and the recesses 3h of the design panels 3 are fitted to each other. In this manner, the design panels 3 are mounted to the front surface side of the base panel 2 to cover the base panel 2. In this case, at each of the side portions of the front panel 20d in the transverse direction, the claw portion 2h is provided on the second side wall portion 2e positioned on the more inner side than the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Further, the recess 3h of the design panel 3 that is transparent but has the design layer 3f formed on its back surface side is positioned on the inner side of the first side wall portion 2c of the opaque base panel 2. Thus, the claw portion 2h of the base panel 2 and the recess 3h of the design panel 3 are not visually recognized from outside, and hence it is possible to improve the design property of the front panel 20d.

The claw portion 2h of Embodiment 4 corresponds to the “first fitting portion” of the present invention, and the recess 3h of Embodiment 4 corresponds to the “second fitting portion” of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 back case 2 base panel 2a end portion 2a1 upper end portion 2a2 lower end portion 2b groove portion 2c first side wall portion 2d recess 2e second side wall portion 2f end portion 2f1 left end portion 2f2 right end portion 2g flange 2h claw portion 2i hinge 2j rib 3 design panel 3a end portion 3b first flange 3c claw portion 3e second flange 3f design layer 3g end portion 3h recess 4 upper air inlet 5 air outlet 6 air-sending fan 7 heat exchanger 8 drain pan 9 filter

10 up-and-down airflow direction adjusting flap 11 central recess 12 front air inlet 15 base panel upper portion 16 base panel lower portion 17 connection portion 20a front panel 20b front panel 20c front panel 20d front panel 100 indoor unit body

Number	Date	Country
2007-225253	Sep 2007	JP
2009-079869	Apr 2009	JP
5061812	Oct 2012	JP

Indoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus

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