OUTDOOR UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, an outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus such as air-conditioning apparatus has a casing that accommodates, for example, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a blower and the like. The outdoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus is connected via a refrigerant pipe to an indoor unit that accommodates a heat exchanger, a blower and the like. When the blower is actuated, outside air is supplied to the heat exchanger so that heat is exchanged between air and refrigerant which flows in the heat exchanger. The capability of the refrigeration cycle apparatus such as heating and cooling depends on the amount of heat exchange between air and refrigerant. That is, the larger the size of heat exchanger is, the larger heating capacity and cooling capacity can be obtained.

According to Patent Literature 1, the outdoor unit has a rectangular shaped bottom panel and the heat exchanger is disposed, for example, to extend in a long side direction of the bottom panel. This allows a large sized heat exchanger to be accommodated in the casing of the outdoor unit.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-133571

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

In general, the outdoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus is installed outside the building. For example, when the outdoor unit is installed in an apartment building, the outdoor unit is installed in a balcony. Compared to an individual house that usually has an available space for installation of the outdoor unit such as a garden, an installation space in a balcony of an apartment building is relatively small and is often limited. Accordingly, besides the indoor unit which is installed inside the building, the outdoor unit which is installed outside the building is also required to be reduced in size.

Increasing the size of outdoor unit allows a larger sized heat exchanger to be accommodated in the casing, thereby obtaining larger heating capacity and cooling capacity. However, as the outdoor unit increases in size, there may be a problem for the outdoor unit in installation outside the building.

The present invention has been made to overcome the above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide an outdoor unit capable of housing a larger heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger) while preventing increasing in size of the outdoor unit.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an outdoor unit accommodating a compressor and connected to a refrigerant pipe used for circulating refrigerant between an indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising: a bottom panel disposed under the compressor to support the compressor; a first side panel disposed on a peripheral edge of the bottom panel; a second side panel disposed at a position facing the first side panel on the peripheral edge of the bottom panel; and an outdoor heat exchanger supported above the bottom panel and extending in a direction from the first side panel toward the second side panel, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger has an end portion facing one of side end portions of the second side panel, and the bottom panel includes a projection formed at a position corresponding to the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, the projection protruding in the direction from the first side panel toward the second side panel.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to an outdoor unit of the present invention having the above configuration, a larger heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger) can be used while preventing increasing in size of the outdoor unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigeration cycle apparatus having an outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view which shows a configuration of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a casing of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a bottom panel of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of and around a valve of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is an explanatory view which shows a bottom panel, a fixed panel, a valve, a refrigerant pipe and a cover of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5C is an explanatory view of a state in which the cover of FIG. 5B is removed.

FIG. 6 is a modified example 1 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a modified example 2 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a modified example 3 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C is a modified example 4 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7D is a modified example 5 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7E is a modified example 6 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a horizontal cross section of the outdoor unit of a conventional air-conditioning apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With document to the drawings, an outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment of the invention will be described. In the accompanying drawings including FIG. 1, the same reference signs refer to the same or corresponding elements throughout the entire disclosure herein.

EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air-conditioning apparatus 200 having an outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 1(a) is an example of a refrigerant circuit configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus 200, and FIG. 1(b) shows that the outdoor unit 100 and an indoor unit 150 are connected via a refrigerant pipe P. The following Embodiment shows an example in which a refrigeration cycle apparatus is the air-conditioning apparatus 200.

[Air-Conditioning Apparatus 200]

The air-conditioning apparatus 200 includes the indoor unit 150 and the outdoor unit 100 which are connected via the refrigerant pipe P. The indoor unit 150 includes an indoor heat exchanger 151 which serves as an evaporator during cooling operation and a condenser during heating operation. Cooling energy or heating energy is generated in the outdoor unit 100 and is delivered to the indoor unit 150 via the refrigerant pipe P.

The outdoor unit 100 is disposed, for example, outside of a building, an apartment house or an individual house, and supplies cooling energy or heating energy to the indoor unit 150 via the refrigerant pipe P. The outdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 4 that compresses refrigerant, a four-way valve 8 that switches flow passages, an expansion device 9 that reduces the pressure of refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 2 that exchanges heat between air and refrigerant and a blower 3 that supplies air to the outdoor heat exchanger 2.

The indoor unit 150 is installed at a position suitable for supplying cooling air or heating air into a space to be air-conditioned, for example, in a room, and supplies cooling air or heating air into the air-conditioned space. The indoor unit 150 includes the indoor heat exchanger 151 that exchanges heat between air and refrigerant, and a blower 152 that supplies air to the indoor heat exchanger 151.

The indoor heat exchanger 151, the four-way valve 8 and the expansion device 9 will be described. The indoor heat exchanger 151 exchanges heat between room air which is suctioned by the blower 152 into the indoor unit 150 and refrigerant so that refrigerant is condensed and liquefied during heating operation and refrigerant is evaporated and gasified during cooling operation. The four-way valve 8 switches a flow of refrigerant during heating operation and a flow of refrigerant during cooling operation and defrost operation. During heating operation, the four-way valve 8 allows a discharge side of the compressor 4 to communicate with the indoor heat exchanger 151 and allows a suction side of the compressor 4 to communicate with the outdoor heat exchanger 2. Further, during cooling operation and defrost operation, the four-way valve 8 allows the discharge side of the compressor 4 to communicate with the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and allows the suction side of the compressor 4 to communicate with the indoor heat exchanger 151. The expansion device 9 reduces the pressure of refrigerant which flows in the refrigerant circuit and allows the refrigerant to be expanded. The expansion device 9 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 2 at one end and to the indoor heat exchanger 151 at the other end. The expansion device 9 may be a device capable of variably controlling an opening degree such as an electronic expansion valve. Other configuration (such as the compressor 4) will be described later.

Next, with document to FIG. 1(a), a refrigeration cycle operation of a refrigerant circuit shown in the figure will be described. Here, a flow of refrigerant during heating operation will be described. At the start of heating operation, the four-way valve 8 switches the flow passage as shown in FIG. 1(a). Gas refrigerant which is compressed and discharge by the compressor 4 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 151 via the four-way valve 8. Then, the gas refrigerant which flows into the indoor heat exchanger 151 exchanges heat with the room air supplied by the blower 152 and is condensed, and then flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 151. The refrigerant which flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 151 flows into the expansion device 9, and is expanded and decompressed by the expansion device 9. The decompressed refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and exchanges heat with outside air supplied by the blower 3 and is gasified, and then flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 2. The gas refrigerant which flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 2 is suctioned into the compressor 4 via the four-way valve 8.

[Outdoor Unit 100]

FIG. 2 is a schematic view which shows a configuration of an outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a casing of the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view of a bottom panel 1E of the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 100, FIG. 2(b) is a front view of the outdoor unit 100, and FIG. 2(c) is a cross sectional view of the outdoor unit. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a cover 1D is removed. FIG. 3(a) is a view of the outdoor unit 100 seen from the right side. FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 100 with various components such as the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the blower 3 having been removed from the casing.

The outdoor unit 100 includes the outdoor heat exchanger 2 which serves as a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator during heating operation. In the following description, the front panel 1B is defined as a front surface (front side) of the outdoor unit, the side on which a first side panel 1CC is located with respect to the front side is defined as left side, and the side on which a second side panel 1C is located with respect to the front side is defined as right side.

The casing of the outdoor unit 100 includes a top panel 1A that forms the top surface of the outdoor unit 100, a front panel 1B that forms the front surface of the outdoor unit 100, a first side panel 1CC that forms the left side surface of the outdoor unit 100, a second side panel 1C that forms the right side surface of the outdoor unit 100, a fan grille 1B2 that is disposed on the front panel 1B and forms part of the front surface of the outdoor unit 100, and a bottom panel 1E that forms the bottom of the outdoor unit 100. In this configuration, the first side panel 1CC, the front panel 1B and the second side panel 1C correspond to a peripheral panel. That is, the peripheral panel is disposed on a peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E and stands on the bottom panel 1E.

Further, the outdoor unit 100 includes a partition 5 that separates an inner space of the outdoor unit 100 into the right and left spaces, the compressor 4 that compresses and discharges refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger 2 that has an L-shaped horizontal cross section, the blower 3 that supplies outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and a motor support 3A that holds the blower 3. The outdoor unit 100 further includes the four-way valve 8 and an electric component box (not shown in the figure) that accommodates a controller that controls the rotation speed of the compressor 4 and the like.

The outdoor unit 100 further includes a fixed panel 1F that is disposed at a corner C of the bottom panel 1E so as to be located on the inner side of the peripheral panel and stands upright on the bottom panel 1E, a roof panel 1FF that is connected to the fixed panel 1F, a valve 7 that is fixed to the fixed panel 1F and is connected to the refrigerant pipe P, and a cover 1D that is mounted to cover the valve 7.

(Top Panel 1A)

The top panel 1A forms the top surface of the outdoor unit 100. The top panel 1A is mounted on the upper end portion of the peripheral panel so as to cover the upper part of the outdoor heat exchanger 2. The top panel 1A is in contact with the top panel 1A at the front end portion and the left end portion, respectively, so as to be supported by the front panel 1B and the first side panel 1CC, and is in contact with the second side panel 1C at the right end portion so as to be supported by the second side panel 1C. The top panel 1A is formed of, for example, a metal plate.

(Front Panel 1B and First Side Panel 1CC)

The front panel 1B forms part of the front surface of the outdoor unit 100. The first side panel 1CC is disposed on the left end portion of the front panel 1B, and the second side panel 1C is disposed on the right end portion of the front panel 1B. Further, the cover 1D is attached on the right end portion of the front panel 1B. In Embodiment, the first side panel 1CC is integrally formed with the front panel 1B.

The front panel 1B has a lower end portion disposed on the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E, and an upper end portion disposed on the top panel 1A. Further, the right end portion of a front surface-forming portion of the front panel 1B extends along the front end portion of the second side panel 1C. Moreover, the front panel 1B has a circular opening 1B1 which serves, for example, as an inlet for outside air. The fan grille 1B2 is disposed so as to face a position of the opening 1B1. The front panel 1B is formed of, for example, a metal plate.

The front panel 1B has a front cutout portion 1BH formed in the lower part on the end portion adjacent to the second side panel 1C. The cover 1D is attached on the front cutout portion 1BH.

The first side panel 1CC is disposed on the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E. The first side panel 1CC is disposed on a portion which corresponds to one of short sides of the bottom panel 1E. The second side panel 1C is disposed at a position facing the first side panel 1CC. The front end portion of the first side panel 1CC extends along the left end portion of the front panel 1B. The first side panel 1CC has a plurality of openings through which air is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 2.

(Second Side Panel 1C)

The second side panel 1C forms part of the back surface and the right side surface of the outdoor unit 100. The second side panel 1C has a substantially L-shaped horizontal cross section and stands vertically upright on the bottom panel 1E, and is located on the lateral side and back side of the compressor 4. The second side panel 1C has a front end portion which is in contact with the front panel 1B, an upper end portion which is in contact with the top panel 1A, and a lower end portion which is in contact with the bottom panel 1E. The second side panel 1C is formed of, for example, a metal plate.

The second side panel 1C is formed to extend along the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E, as described later, and has a tapered shape surface 1CT. Since the refrigerant pipe P gradually curves when being routed along the tapered shape surface 1CT, the refrigerant pipe P is prevented from being damaged.

The second side panel 1C has a side cutout portion 1CH formed in the lower part on the front end portion which is located adjacent to the front panel 1B. The cover 1D is attached to the side cutout portion 1CH.

(Fan Grille 1B2)

The fan grille 1B2 forms part of the front surface of the outdoor unit 100 and is provided for preventing a user from being injured by the blower 3. The fan grille 1B2 is a grating member made up of, for example, vertical and lateral bars.

(Bottom Panel 1E)

The bottom panel 1E forms part of the bottom of the outdoor unit 100. The bottom panel 1E is a rectangular shaped member that is disposed under the compressor 4, the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the like so as to support the compressor 4 and the outdoor heat exchanger 2. The bottom panel 1E includes a corner C2 (which corresponds to the first corner) that corresponds to a position at which a projection J is formed, and a corner C (which corresponds to the second corner) that corresponds to a position at which the valve 7 is disposed.

The vertically standing peripheral edge 1E1 is formed on the periphery of the bottom panel 1E. That is, the peripheral edge 1E1 is a flange-like portion formed on the peripheral edge of the bottom panel 1E. The outdoor heat exchanger 2, the compressor 4, the partition 5 and the like are disposed on the bottom panel 1E. The bottom panel 1E is formed of, for example, a metal plate.

The bottom panel 1E includes a projection J that is formed on the peripheral edge 1E1 on which the second side panel 1C is disposed, and protrudes in the horizontal direction. The projection J is formed at a position corresponding to an end portion of the first heat exchange section 2A of the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and protrudes in the horizontal direction. The projection J horizontally protrudes in a direction from the first side panel 1CC toward the second side panel 1C with respect to a position at which the valve 7 is located. Further, a tapered shape surface J1 is formed on the edge of the projection J so as to extend toward a portion of bottom panel 1E which is located under the valve 7. Accordingly, the second side panel 1C is formed to correspond to the shape of the projection J of the bottom panel 1E. That is, the second side panel 1C is formed to extend along the edge of the projection J, and has a tapered shape surface parallel to the tapered shape surface J1.

(Partition 5)

The partition 5 is disposed to divide a space into an area in which the compressor 4 and the valve 7 are located and an area in which the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the blower 3 are located. That is, the partition 5 separates a space into a machine chamber R1 in which the compressor 4, the valve 7 and the like are located and a blower chamber R2 in which the outdoor heat exchanger 2, blower 3, motor support 3A and the like are located. The partition 5 is disposed, for example, on the bottom panel 1E. The front end portion of the partition 5 is disposed on the front panel 1B and the back end portion is fixed to the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 2.

(Compressor 4)

The compressor 4 suctions refrigerant and then compresses the refrigerant into high temperature and high pressure state and discharges it. The compressor 4 is connected via a pipe to the four-way valve 8 that switches cooling operation and heating operation by switching a flow of refrigerant. The partition 5, the front panel 1B, the fixed panel 1F and the like are disposed around the compressor 4. An electric component box (which is not shown in the figure) used for various controls is disposed above the compressor 4. The compressor 4 may not be necessarily directly disposed on the bottom panel 1E, and may be placed on an installation table disposed on the bottom panel 1E.

(Outdoor Heat Exchanger 2)

The outdoor heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat between air suctioned by the blower 3 into the outdoor unit 100 and refrigerant so that refrigerant is condensed and liquefied during cooling operation and refrigerant is evaporated and gasified during heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger 2 is disposed, for example, on the bottom panel 1E. The outdoor heat exchanger 2 may not be necessarily directly disposed on the bottom panel 1E, and may be placed on an installation table disposed on the bottom panel 1E. The motor support 3A is hung above the outdoor heat exchanger 2. The outdoor heat exchanger 2 is formed of, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant which flows in a heat transfer tube and air which passes through a fin.

The outdoor heat exchanger 2 includes a first heat exchange section 2A that extends straight in a direction from the first side panel 1CC toward the second side panel 1C, a curved second heat exchange section 2B, and a third heat exchange section 2C that is disposed to face the first side panel 1CC. The first heat exchange section 2A and the second heat exchange section 2B are connected to each other, and the second heat exchange section 2B and the third heat exchange section 2C are connected to each other. A refrigerant distribution member 20 such as a header that distributes refrigerant to various pipes and heat transfer tubes is disposed on the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 2 adjacent to the second side panel 1C. That is, the refrigerant distribution member 20 is disposed on the end portion of the first heat exchange section 2A. Further, a hairpin 2C1 which is a heat transfer tube bent in a semi-circular shape is disposed on the third heat exchange section 2C.

(Fixed Panel 1F and Roof Panel 1FF)

The fixed panel 1F is formed to separate a space into a space (machine chamber R1) in which the compressor 4 is located and a space in which the valve 7 is located. The fixed panel 1F is a plate member which extends in the up-down direction. The fixed panel 1F extends from the bottom panel 1E to a height position of the upper ends of the side cutout portion 1CH of the front cutout portion 1BH. One end portion (on the front side) of the fixed panel 1F is disposed to face the inner surface of the front panel 1B and the other end portion (on the back side) of the fixed panel 1F is disposed along the front end portion of the second side panel 1C. The fixed panel 1F is disposed to form an acute angle between the fixed panel 1F and the front panel 1B.

The fixed panel 1F is connected to the roof panel 1FF. The roof panel 1FF is connected to the upper end portion of the fixed panel 1F, the front cutout portion 1BH and the side cutout portion 1CH, and is disposed above the valve 7. Since the fixed panel 1F does not extend from the bottom panel 1E to the top panel 1A and the upper end portion of the fixed panel 1F is disposed at the middle between the bottom panel 1E to the top panel 1A, the machine chamber R1 may have a large volume, thereby effectively using a limited space in the outdoor unit 100. The roof panel 1FF is formed of, for example, a triangular shaped plate member. The roof panel 1FF is disposed such that the apex of the corner C of the bottom panel 1E is located under the apex of the roof panel 1FF. The apex of the roof panel 1FF as described herein is an apex located at the corner of the right end portion of the front panel 1B and the front end portion of the second side panel 1C. The apex has an angle which is larger than those of the other two angles.

(Valve 7)

The valve 7 is mounted on the fixed panel 1F. The valve 7 is made up of a valve 7A and a valve 7B. The valve 7 is connected to the refrigerant pipe P. The valve 7 is disposed in a closed space formed by the outer surface of the fixed panel 1F, the upper surface of the bottom panel 1E and an inner surface of the cover 1D. Accordingly, even if the refrigerant is burnt and the fire is spread to the refrigerant pipe P, the spread of fire can be prevented at a position of the valve 7. That is, fire is prevented from burning the compressor 4, the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the like.

(Cover 1D)

The cover 1D is disposed on the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E and is detachably mounted at a position facing the fixed panel 1F so as to cover the valve 7. The cover 1D is attached at a position corresponding to the corner C of the bottom panel 1E. The cover 1D forms part of front surface and part of right side surface of the casing of the outdoor unit 100. That is, the cover 1D is detachably attached to the front cutout portion 1BH and the side cutout portion 1CH.

The cover 1D includes a front surface 1D1 which is parallel to the front panel 1B, a side surface 1D2 which is perpendicular to the front surface 1D1, a lead-out section 1D3 used for leading out the refrigerant pipe P which is connected to the valve 7, and a terminal table protecting section 1 D4 which is formed to cover a mounting portion Q such as a terminal table connected to an electric component box 6. The cover 1D is made up of the front surface 1D1, the side surface 1D2, the lead-out section 1D3 and the terminal table protecting section 1D4, which are integrally formed. The cover 1D may be formed of, for example, a resin or a metal plate.

The front surface 1D1 is a plate shaped member which upwardly extends from the bottom panel 1E. The left end portion of the front surface 1D1 extends along the right end portion of the front panel 1B. Further, the right end portion of the front surface 1D1 is connected to the side surface 1D2.

The side surface 1D2 is a plate shaped member which extends along the outer surface of the second side panel 1C. The side surface 1D2 has an L-shape in plan view. The lead-out section 1D3 is formed on the side surface 1D2 at a height position of the valve 7.

The lead-out section 1D3 is formed to protrude rightward from the side surface 1D2. Accordingly, the side surface of the cover 1D has a stepped portion at a position at which the lead-out section 1D3 is formed. If the cover 1D does not have the lead-out section 1D3, although the refrigerant pipe P can be easily led out, rain water leaks into the casing of the outdoor unit 100. Since the cover 1D has the lead-out section 1D3 which protrudes from the side surface 1D2, leaking of rain water into the casing of the outdoor unit 100 can be prevented while avoiding interference with the refrigerant pipe P.

The terminal table protecting section 1D4 is formed on the same plane as that of the lead-out section 1D3, and protrudes rightward from the side surface 1D2. The lower end portion of the terminal table protecting section 1D4 is connected to the upper end portion of the lead-out section 1D3. Further, the lower end portion of the terminal table protecting section 1D4 is connected to the side surface 1D2. The cover 1D includes the front surface 1D1, the side surface 1D2, the lead-out section 1D3 and the terminal table protecting section 1D4 which are integrally formed, and can protect the terminal table as well as the valve 7.

[Rainwater Leaking Prevention Configuration of Cover 1D]

FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of and around the valve 7 of the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 5B is an explanatory view which shows the bottom panel 1E, the fixed panel 1F, the valve 7, the refrigerant pipe R and the cover 1D of the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 5C is an explanatory view of a state in which the cover 1D of FIG. 5B is removed.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the valve 7B is disposed under the valve 7A. The valve 7A and the valve 7B are connected to the respective refrigerant pipes P. The valve 7 is fixed to the fixed panel 1F. As shown in FIG. 5B, the cover 1D is attached at a position corresponding to the corner C of the bottom panel 1E so as to prevent rainwater from leaking into a closed space SP in which the valve 7 is disposed.

Since the lead-out section 1D3 which protrudes from the side surface 1D2 is formed on the cover 1D, the refrigerant pipe P can be easily led out from the outdoor unit 100. In addition to that, the lead-out section 1D3 can prevent rainwater from leaking into the casing. Further, it also prevents the valve 7 from being exposed, thereby improving the design.

[Advantage Effect of Outdoor Unit 100 According to Embodiment]

In the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment, the bottom panel 1E includes the projection J. The projection J is formed at a position corresponding to the first heat exchange section 2A of the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and protrudes in the horizontal direction. This allows a larger outdoor heat exchanger 2 to be accommodated. That is, a width dimension of the first heat exchange section 2A of the outdoor heat exchanger 2 can be increased by the amount of the area on which the projection J is formed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a horizontal cross section of the outdoor unit of a conventional air-conditioning apparatus. The conventional outdoor unit which does not have the projection J as shown in FIG. 8 has a problem that, when housing a larger heat exchanger, the width of the front and back sides of the outdoor unit increases, leading to increase in size of the outdoor unit.

In the bottom panel 1E of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment, the front side of a portion of the peripheral edge 1E1 on which the projection J is formed does not protrude. That is, in the bottom panel 1E, the width dimension on the back side of the outdoor unit 100 is increased due to the projection J being formed, while the width dimension on the front side is relatively short since there is no structure corresponding to the projection J. As a result, the outdoor unit 100 can be prevented from being increased in size.

Accordingly, the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment 1 is capable of housing a larger heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger 2) while preventing the outdoor unit 100 from increasing in size.

[Modified Example 1]

FIG. 6 shows a modified example 1 of the outdoor unit 100 according to Embodiment. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 100, and FIG. 6(b) is a front view of the outdoor unit 100. In the above embodiment, in order to increase a volume of the machine chamber R1, a front end of the roof panel 1FF (apex of a right angle) comes on the front surface, and the apex of the corner C is located under the apex of the largest angle.

In modified example 1, the apex of the right angle of the roof panel 1FF is located at a backward position. Accordingly, a folded portion 21 is formed on the front panel 1B, and a folded portion 22 is formed on the second side panel 1C. The front panel 1B and the second side panel 1C are positioned such that a side end portion of the folded portion 21 and a side end portion of the folded portion 22 are along each other.

Further, in modified example 1, the fixed panel 1F, the cover 1D and the second side panel 1C are positioned from the bottom panel 1E to the top panel 1A extending in the up-down direction.

[Advantage Effect of Outdoor Unit 100 According to Modified Example 1]

The outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 has an effect as described below in addition to the same effect as that of the outdoor unit 100 of the above Embodiment. That is, the outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 can be reduced in size, while reducing a volume of the machine chamber R1 since the outdoor unit 100 includes the folded portion 21 and the folded portion 22.

[Modified Examples 2 to 6]

FIGS. 7A to 7E show modified examples 2 to 6 of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment of the present invention. The following modified examples 2 to 6 show various variations of the bottom panel 1E. The second side panel 1C is formed to extend along the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E.

Difference between the outdoor unit 100 according to the above embodiment and the outdoor unit 100 according to modified examples 2 to 6 will be described.

In modified examples 2 to 6, the fixed panel 1F is not provided inward of the peripheral edge 1E1 of the bottom panel 1E.

Further, in modified examples 2 to 6, the valve 7 is mounted on the second side panel 1C.

Although the surface of the cover 1D in Embodiment and modified example 1 is provided along the surface of the second side panel 1C, a cover 10D in modified examples 2 to 6 is mounted on the second side panel 1C such that the surface of the cover 1D protrudes from the second side panel 1C.

FIGS. 7A(a), 7B(a), 7D(a), 7D(a) and 7E(a) show sectional views of the outdoor unit 100. FIGS. 7A(b1), 7B(b1), 7C(b1), 7D(b1) and 7E(b1) show examples which adopts the roof panel 1FF of Embodiment, while FIGS. 7A(b2), 7B(b2), 7C(b2), 7D(b2) and 7E(b2) show examples which adopts the roof panel 1FF of modified example 1. Accordingly, the fixed panel 1F shown in FIGS. 7A(b2), 7B(b2), 7C(b2), 7D(b2) and 7E(b2) has a height dimension larger than the fixed panel 1F shown in FIGS. 7A(b1), 7B(b1), 7C(b1), 7D(b1) and 7E(b1).

As shown in FIG. 7A(a), in addition to the difference described above, modified example 2 has a difference that the tapered shape surface J1 described in Embodiment is provided as a vertical surface. Modified example 2 may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7A(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7A(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7B(a), modified example 3 is the same as the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment except for the difference described above. Modified example 2 may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7B(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7B(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7D(a), in modified example 4, the bottom panel 1E has a cutout portion J2 formed at a position of the corner C (which corresponds to the second corner). That is, in modified example 4, the bottom panel 1E includes the cutout portion J2 which is formed by cutting the corner C in a tapered shape to decrease a volume of the machine chamber R1. The second side panel 1C may extend to a position of the cutout portion J2, or the front panel 1B may extend to a position of the cutout portion J2. Further, modified example 4 may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7C(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7C(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7D(a), in modified example 5, the bottom panel 1E is formed such that the tapered shape surface J1 of the projection J extends to the corner C. Further, modified example 5 may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7D(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7D(b2).

As shown in FIG. 7E(a), in modified example 6, the bottom panel 1E has the tapered shape surface J1 which is a vertical surface. Further, the bottom panel 1E also has the projection J on a side on which the corner C is formed. In addition, another vertical surface is provided at a position facing the vertical surface. That is, in modified example 6, the bottom panel 1E has a recess J3 formed of two projections J as seen from the above. The valve 7 is formed on the second side panel 1C at a position corresponding to the recess J3. Further, modified example 6 may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of Embodiment as shown in FIG. 7E(b1), or may adopt the roof panel 1FF of the outdoor unit 100 of modified example 1 as shown in FIG. 7E(b2).

[Advantage Effect of Outdoor Unit 100 According to Modified Examples 2 to 6]

The outdoor unit 100 according to modified examples 2 to 6 has the same effect as that of the outdoor unit 100 of the above Embodiment.

DOCUMENT SIGNS LIST

1A top panel 1B front panel 1B1 opening 1B2 fan grille

1BH front cutout portion 1C second side panel 1CC first side panel

1CH side cutout portion 1CT tapered shape surface 1D cover 1D1 front surface 1D2 side surface 1D3 lead-out section 1D4 terminal table protecting section 1E bottom panel 1E1 peripheral edge

1F fixed panel 1FF roof panel 2 outdoor heat exchanger 2A first heat exchange section 2B second heat exchange section 2C third heat exchange section 2C1 hairpin 3 blower 3A motor support 4 compressor 5 partition 6 electric component box

valve 7A valve 7B valve 8 four-way valve

9 expansion device 10D cover 20 refrigerant distribution member 21 folded portion 22 folded portion 100 outdoor unit 150 indoor unit 151 indoor heat exchanger 152 blower 200 air-conditioning apparatus C corner C2 corner J projection J1 tapered shape surface J2 cutout portion J3 recess P refrigerant pipe Q mounting portion

R1 machine chamber R2 blower chamber SP closed space

OUTDOOR UNIT

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CPC

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