INSTALLATION PLATE FOR INDOOR UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an installation plate for an indoor unit in an air-conditioning apparatus, which is attached to a wall in a room.

BACKGROUND ART

In the past, an indoor unit of a wall-mounted air-conditioning apparatus has been installed on a wall in a room, with an installation plate interposed between the indoor unit and the wall, the installation plate being attached to the wall. The installation plate has a pipe drawing hole or a pipe drawing cutout for passage of a pipe that is drawn out from the indoor unit and that is connected to an outdoor unit installed outdoors. Such a hole or cutout is provided, for example, in an outer periphery of lower part of the installation plate (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

Furthermore, in some houses where an indoor unit is installed, a so-called embedded pipe or pipes which are a pipe or pipes provided in a wall to connect the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are installed. In the case where the indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit by such an embedded pipe or pipes, the pipe or pipes may not be connected at central part of a rear surface of the indoor unit. Therefore, in some cases, the pipe or pies are drawn to the outside of the indoor unit. In this case, the pipe or pipes are exposed in the room, thus deteriorating the appearance of the room. In view of this point, various methods have been proposed as a method of enabling pipe connection to be performed on the rear side of the indoor unit using an embedded pipe or pipes.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. Hei 6-2022

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

A first method of enabling the pipe connection to be performed on the rear side of the indoor unit is a method in which a cutout for avoiding a pipe or pipes is formed large in advance near central part of lower part of the installation plate in consideration of the shape or shapes and position or positions of the pipe or pipes. By the first method, however, the cutout is formed excessively large relative to the installation plate, thus lowering the strength of the installation plate.

A second method of enabling the pipe connection to be performed on the rear side of the indoor unit is a method in which a perforated cut line is formed in the installation plate, in place of the cutout in the first method. In this case, the installation plate is cut along the perforated cut line, thereby enabling the pipe connection to be performed on the rear surface of the indoor unit. However, simply because of formation of only the cut line in the installation plate, the workability is not improved, that is, in this method, a blade of a tool does not easily enter the installation plate when the installation plate is cut at an installation site of the indoor unit, and as a result, the workability is deteriorated.

The present disclosure is made in view of the above problem of the related art, and relates to an installation plate for an indoor unit, which enables a pipe connection work to be easily performed, while ensuring a sufficient strength.

Solution to Problem

An installation plate for an indoor unit of an embodiment of the present disclosure is an installation plate for use in installation of an indoor unit that is to be connected to an outdoor unit using an embedded pipe provided in a wall of a house, and includes: a main body portion formed in a flat plate shape; a pipe connection hole provided in the main body portion to allow the embedded pipe to pass through the pipe connection hole; and a hole expansion portion that is an area provided adjacent to at least part of the pipe connection hole and subjected to cutout preliminary processing for expansion of the pipe connection hole.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hole expansion portion is provided adjacent to the pipe connection hole. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large pipe connection hole in advance in consideration of the shape or shapes and position or positions of the embedded pipe or pipes. Thus, it is possible to ensure a sufficient strength of the installation plate. In addition, in the case of expanding the pipe connection hole, the hole expansion portion can be easily cut. Accordingly, the pipe connection hole can be easily expanded. In addition, a pipe connection work can be easily performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an example of an indoor-unit main body as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the indoor unit as illustrated in FIG. 3 that is taken along line A-A as viewed in an arrow direction.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an example of an installation plate for the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram enlargedly illustrating a periphery of a pipe connection hole of the installation plate as illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explanation of a method of fixing the indoor-unit main body to the installation plate.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explanation of installation of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 10
FIG. 10 is another schematic diagram for explanation of the installation of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 11 is still another schematic diagram for explanation of the installation of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explanation of connection of each of a plurality of pipe connection holes provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the present disclosure covers all possible combinations of configurations that will be described below regarding the embodiment. In addition, the shape, size, location, etc., of each of components as illustrated in each of the figures can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the following description, in order that the embodiment be easily understood, terms related to directions (such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, front”, and “rear”) are used as appropriate. However, these terms are used only for explanation, that is, they do not limit the embodiment. Furthermore, in the following description concerning the embodiment, the above terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, front”, and “rear” are terms related to directions as an installation plate is viewed from a front side. It should be noted that in each of the figures, for example, relative relationships in dimension between components or the sizes of components may be different from actual ones.

Embodiment 1

An air-conditioning apparatus and an indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2. The indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 are connected by connection between an indoor-side connection pipe provided at the indoor unit 1 and an outdoor-side connection pipe provided at the outdoor unit 2. The indoor-side connection pipe and the outdoor-side connection pipe are connected using an embedded pipe or embedded pipes 201 (see FIG. 9) embedded in a pipe insertion portion 200 provided in a wall of a house. When the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is in operation, refrigerant circulates through each of the pipes.

[Configuration of Indoor Unit 1]

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 includes an indoor-unit main body 20 and an installation plate 10, and the indoor-unit main body 20 is installed on the installation plate 10, which is fixed to, for example, a wall in a room.

(Indoor-Unit Main Body 20)

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an example of the indoor-unit main body as illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor-unit main body 20 includes a housing 21, and a rear surface case 22 provided on a rear surface of the housing 21. The indoor-unit main body 20 has a laterally long shape in which a length of the indoor-unit main body 20 in a lateral direction is greater than a length thereof in an up-down direction. That is, each of the housing 21 and the rear surface case 22 has a laterally long shape. In the following description, a direction from a front surface of the indoor-unit main body 20 to a rear surface thereof and a direction from the rear surface to the front surface may be each referred to as a front-back direction of the indoor-unit main body 20.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the indoor unit as illustrated in FIG. 3 that is taken along line A-A as viewed in an arrow direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the indoor-unit main body 20, a heat exchanger 23, an air-sending fan 24, an electric component box 25, and a drain pan assembly 26 are housed in a space defined by the housing 21 and the rear surface case 22.

An air inlet 21A is formed in an upper surface of the housing 21 to allow air in an air-conditioning target space to be sucked into the housing 21. Furthermore, an air outlet 21B is formed in a bottom surface of the housing 21 to allow air to be blown therefrom to the air-conditioning target space. In the housing 21, an air passage is provided through which the air sucked through the air inlet 21A is made to flow to the air outlet 21B by rotation of the air-sending fan 24.

The heat exchanger 23 causes heat exchange to be performed between refrigerant and air that is sucked through the air inlet 21A by rotation of the air-sending fan 24. The heat exchanger 23 is provided in the air passage from the air inlet 21A to the air outlet 21B. The air subjected to the heat exchange changes into cold air or warm air, and the cold air or the warm air is blown out from the air outlet 21B.

The air-sending fan 24 takes in indoor air from the air inlet 21A, causes the air to pass through the heat exchanger 23 which is provided in the vicinity of the air-sending fan 24, and sends out the air from the air outlet 21B after the air is subjected to the heat exchange. The air-sending fan 24 is, for example, a crossflow fan, and is driven by a motor not illustrated.

The electric component box 25 houses electric components such as a control board that controls the indoor unit 1. The drain pan assembly 26 is provided below the heat exchanger 23. A drain pan is provided on an upper surface of the drain pan assembly 26, and collects drain water generated at the heat exchanger 23.

(Installation Plate 10)

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an example of the installation plate for the indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram enlargedly illustrating a periphery of a pipe connection hole of the installation plate as illustrated in FIG. 6. The installation plate 10 is made of a steel plate, and is used when the indoor-unit main body 20 is attached to a wall surface. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the installation plate 10 has a main body portion 11 formed in a flat plate shape, a plurality of upper support pieces 12, a plurality of lower fitting holes 13, a pipe connection hole 14, and a hole expansion portion 15.

The upper support pieces 12 are provided at an upper end of the main body portion 11, and are formed such that respective upper fitting portions 27 (see FIG. 8) provided at upper part of the rear surface of the indoor-unit main body 20 can be hooked to the upper support pieces 12. The upper support pieces 12 are provided at three positions which are, for example, located close to a left end, a right end, and central part of the main body portion 11, respectively. In this example, the upper support pieces 12 are provided at the three positions at the upper end of the main body portion 11; however, the positions of the upper support pieces 12 are not limited to those of the above example, and for example, it suffices that at least two upper support pieces 12 are provided on the right side and the left side, respectively.

The lower fitting holes 13 are provided at a lower end of the main body portion 11, and are formed such that respective lower hook claws 28 (see FIG. 8) provided at a lower part of the rear surface of the indoor-unit main body 20 are hooked to and caught by the lower fitting holes 13. The lower fitting holes 13 are provided at two positions, which are located, for example, close to the right end and the left end of the main body portion 11, respectively.

The pipe connection hole 14 is provided in a rectangular shape at a position close to the center of the lower part of the main body portion 11. The pipe connection hole 14 is provided to allow either the embedded pipe or pipes 201 in the pipe insertion portion 200 provided on the wall surface or the indoor-side connection pipe of the indoor-unit main body 20 to pass through the pipe connection hole 14, and is also provided for connection between the embedded pipe or pipes 201 and the indoor-side connection pipe of the indoor-unit main body 20 attached to the installation plate 10. An outer peripheral edge of the pipe connection hole 14 is bent. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral edge is bent by 180 degrees and is brought into intimate contact with the main body portion, thereby forming an intimate-contact bent portion 14a at the pipe connection hole 14.

As described above, since the pipe connection hole 14 is subjected to the intimate-contact bending processing, it is possible to protect the edge of the pipe connection hole 14 and ensure safety of the pipe connection hole 14. In addition, because of the intimate-contact bending processing, for example, it is possible to reinforce the pipe connection hole 14 and improving the appearance of the pipe connection hole 14.

Regarding this example, although it is described above that the pipe connection hole 14 has a rectangular shape, it is not limiting, and the pipe connection hole 14 may have, for example, a circular shape or a polygonal shape. In addition, the number of pipe connection holes 14 is not limited to one, and although it depends on an installation environment, a plurality of pipe connection holes may be provided.

The hole expansion portion 15 as illustrated in FIG. 6 is provided adjacent to at least part of the pipe connection hole 14. The hole expansion portion 15 is an area subjected to cutout preliminary processing and is formed by, for example, a perforated cut line. By cutting the hole expansion portion 15 along the cut line, it is possible to expand the pipe connection hole 14.

The pipe connection hole 14 is not formed by cutting the lower part of the main body portion 11 but is formed such that the lower part of the main body portion 11 is left. Since the pipe connection hole 14 is formed in such a manner, it is possible to ensure a sufficient strength of the installation plate 10.

[Fixing of Indoor-Unit Main Body 20 to Installation Plate 10]

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explanation of a method of fixing the indoor-unit main body to the installation plate. First, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper fitting portions 27 provided at the upper part on the rear surface of the indoor-unit main body 20 are hooked to the respective upper support pieces 12 of the installation plate 10. Next, the lower part of the indoor-unit main body 20 is pushed toward the installation plate 10 while the indoor-unit main body 20 is being pivoted on the upper support pieces 12, and the lower hook claws 28 provided at the lower part on the rear surface of the indoor-unit main body 20 are hooked to the respective lower fitting holes 13. As a result, the indoor-unit main body 20 is fixed to the installation plate 10, and the indoor unit 1 is installed on the wall surface.

[Installation of Indoor Unit 1]

FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 are schematic diagrams for explanation of installation of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. First, in a state where the embedded pipes 201 embedded in the pipe insertion portion 200 provided in the wall is drawn out therefrom (FIG. 9), the installation plate 10 is installed on the wall while the embedded pipes 201 are being inserted into the pipe connection hole 14 of the installation plate 10 (FIG. 10). Next, the indoor-unit main body 20 is fixed to the installed installation plate 10, and the embedded pipes 201 and the indoor-side connection pipe of the indoor unit 1 are connected (FIG. 11).

As described above, the pipe connection hole 14 is formed in advance in the installation plate 10 for the indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, the embedded pipe or pipes 201 and the indoor-side connection pipe can be connected with the rear surface of the indoor unit 1 without the need to perform processing such as cutting of the installation plate 10 at an installation site.

When thinking it necessary to expand the pipe connection hole 14 based on a drawn-out state of the embedded pipe 201, a worker has only to cut the hole expansion portion 15 along the perforated cut line. In this case, since the hole expansion portion 15 is provided adjacent to the pipe connection hole 14, a blade of a tool for cutting out the hole expansion portion 15 easily enters the hole expansion portion. Thus, the worker can easily cut the hole expansion portion 15.

It should be noted that although it is described above by way of example that one pipe connection hole 14 is provided in the installation plate 10, it is not limiting, and a plurality of pipe connection holes 14 may be provided. FIG. 12 is related to an example in which a plurality of pipe connection holes 14 are provided, and is a schematic diagram for explanation of connection of each of the pipe connection holes 14. In this example, two pipe connection holes 14 are provided.

Normally, a refrigerant pipe 201a to be connected to the indoor-side connection pipe and a drainage hose 201b for drainage of drain water generated in the indoor unit 1 to the outdoors are inserted as the embedded pipes 201, in the pipe insertion portion 200 provided in the wall. Therefore, in this case, the refrigerant pipe 201a may be inserted into one of the pipe connection holes 14, and the drainage hose 201b may be inserted into the other pipe connection hole 14. That is, in the case where the embedded pipes 201 are a plurality of pipes having different uses, the plurality of pipe connection holes 14 may be provided in association with the respective pipes.

As described above, the installation plate 10 of the indoor unit 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes the pipe connection hole 14 that is provided in the main body portion 11 to allow the embedded pipe or pipes 201 to pass therethrough, and the hole expansion portion 15 that is provided adjacent to the pipe connection hole 14 to expand the pipe connection hole 14. Since the hole expansion portion 15 adjacent to the pipe connection hole 14 is provided in the installation plate 10 as described above, it is not necessary to provide a large pipe connection hole 14 in advance in consideration of the shape or shapes and the position or positions of the embedded pipe or pipes 201. It is therefore possible to ensure a sufficient strength of the installation plate 10.

Furthermore, since the hole expansion portion 15 is adjacent to the pipe connection hole 14, in the case of expanding the pipe connection hole 14 in consideration of the shape or shapes and the position or positions of the embedded pipe or pipes 201, the hole expansion portion 15 can be easily cut, thereby easily expanding the pipe connection hole 14. It is therefore possible to improve the workability during the pipe connection work.

In the installation plate 10 of the indoor unit 1, the hole expansion portion 15 is formed by the perforated cut line. Therefore, in the case where the pipe connection hole 14 is expanded, the worker can easily insert the tool into the installation plate 10 using the pipe connection hole 14. Thus, the hole expansion portion 15 can be easily cut.

In the installation plate 10 of the indoor unit 1, the pipe connection hole 14 has the intimate-contact bent portion 14a located at its outer periphery. To be more specific, the outer peripheral edge of the pipe connection hole 14 is bent by 180 degrees and brought into intimate contact with the main body portion, thereby forming the intimate-contact bent portion 14a. As a result, the edge of the pipe connection hole 14 is protected, and safety of the pipe connection hole 14 can be ensured.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: indoor unit, 2: outdoor unit, 10: installation plate, 11: main body portion, 12: upper support piece, 13: lower fitting hole, 14: pipe connection hole, 14a: intimate-contact bent portion, 15: hole expansion portion, 20: indoor-unit main body, 21: housing, 21A: air inlet, 21B: air outlet, 22: rear surface case, 23: heat exchanger, 24: air-sending fan, 25: electric component box, 26: drain pan assembly, 27: upper fitting portion, 28: lower hook claw, 100: air-conditioning apparatus, 200: pipe insertion portion, 201: embedded pipe, 201a: refrigerant pipe, 201b: drainage hose

INSTALLATION PLATE FOR INDOOR UNIT

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