AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An air conditioner capable of satisfactorily preventing noise from entering an indoor space includes: an indoor unit that is fixed to a wall surface of an indoor space and houses an indoor heat exchanger; and an outdoor unit that houses an outdoor heat exchanger connected to a refrigerant circuit that includes the indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit includes an outside casing that is fitted into an opening formed in a building wall partitioning an outdoor space and the indoor space from each other and defines an internal space that is open to the outdoor space and isolated from the indoor space by being surrounded by a sound insulation wall, and an inside casing that is disposed in the internal space and houses the outdoor heat exchanger.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized by comprising: an indoor unit that is fixed to a wall surface of an indoor space and houses an indoor heat exchanger; and an outdoor unit that houses an outdoor heat exchanger connected to a refrigerant circuit that includes the indoor heat exchanger, the outdoor unit includes an outside casing that is fitted into an opening formed in a building wall partitioning an outdoor space and the indoor space and defines an internal space that is open to the outdoor space, is surrounded by a sound insulation wall and is isolated from the indoor space, and an inside casing that is disposed in the internal space and houses the outdoor heat exchanger.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the outside casing includes a wall body and a front panel, the wall body includes a side wall extending along a virtual plane orthogonal to a wall surface of the building wall and defines a storage port opening toward the indoor space, and the front panel is joined to the wall body and closes the storage port, and the inside casing includes a suction port and a blower port, the suction port is open to the outdoor space and the blower port blows out air after heat exchange toward the side wall.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the outside casing includes a second side wall that houses the inside casing between the second side wall and the side wall, the wall body including the second side wall, and the refrigerant circuit includes a switching valve, the switching valve is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, protrudes from a side plate facing the second side wall in the inside casing, and switches opening and closing of a connection port on a basis of rotation of a screw whose rotation axis is an axis line set perpendicular to a plate surface of the side plate.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the outside casing includes a wall body and a front panel, the wall body includes a side wall extending along a virtual plane orthogonal to a wall surface of the building wall and defines a storage port opening toward the indoor space, and the front panel is joined to the wall body and closes the storage port, and the refrigerant circuit includes a switching valve and an auxiliary refrigerant pipe, the switching valve is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, protrudes from a side plate facing the side wall in the inside casing, and forms a connection port having an axis line set in parallel to a plate surface of the side plate, and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe is connected to the connection port in accordance with tightening of a flare nut whose rotation axis is the axis line and is drawn from the outside casing to the indoor space on a side of the indoor space than an edge of the side wall on the side of the indoor space.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the outside casing includes a bottom plate that is supported so as to be slidable with respect to the wall body in parallel to the side wall and supports the inside casing from below.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the end of the side wall on a side of the indoor space includes a joining edge and an escape edge, the joining edge is partitioned in a direction perpendicular to a floor surface and is fitted into the front panel, and the escape edge is recessed from the joining edge toward a side of the outdoor space and accepts entry of the auxiliary refrigerant pipe.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the outside casing includes right and left side walls, a first top wall, and a second top wall, the right and left side walls extends along a virtual plane orthogonal to a wall surface of the building wall, the first top wall extends from an end of the side wall on a side of the outdoor space toward a side of the indoor space and closes the internal space sandwiched by the right and left side walls from above, and the second top wall extends from the first top wall toward a side of the indoor space to an end of the side wall on a side of the indoor space and closes the internal space from above so as to be openable and closable.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a heater is disposed between the outside casing and the inside casing.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the outside casing includes a drain pan for storing defrost-water generated when frost adhered to the outdoor heat exchanger is melted, and a pump for discharging the defrost-water to an outside of the outside casing.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein at least part of the heater is housed in the drain pan.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein a first control unit that controls the heater is provided in the inside casing, and the first control unit energizes the heater when a second control unit receives a signal indicating a heating operation including a defrosting operation from the second control unit provided in the indoor unit.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the heater is controlled by the first control unit to start energization in accordance with outside temperature.

13. The air conditioner according to claim 8, further comprising the sound insulation material on at least an outside of the outside casing corresponding to a position where the heater is disposed.

14. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of holes for dropping the defrost-water into the drain pan is provided in the bottom plate of the inside casing, and part of the heater is housed in the drain pan along a direction in which the plurality of holes is lined up.

15. The air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein a drain for draining the defrost-water to an outside of the outside casing is provided in the drain pan, and another part of the heater different from the part is housed in the drain pan so as to be adjacent to the drain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an outdoor unit observed from an outer wall of a building.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the outdoor unit observed in an indoor space.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor unit.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit observed from the indoor space side.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit observed from the outdoor space side.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit in a state where an opening of a top plate of an inside casing is opened, which corresponds to FIG. 5.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing configurations of a first switching valve and a second switching valve.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit observed from the indoor space side.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a structure of a guide plate for guiding sliding of a bottom plate on a side wall of an outside casing.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a state of the bottom plate before storage.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a first auxiliary refrigerant pipe and a second auxiliary refrigerant pipe drawn from a front panel.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing a state where a heater is disposed in the outside casing of the air conditioner.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a side view schematically showing a state where the heater is disposed between the inside casing and the outside casing.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the outside casing as viewed from the top when the inside casing has been removed.

[0042] FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a state where a sound insulation material is disposed on the outside of the outside casing corresponding to a position where the heater is disposed.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0043] FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit 12 is installed in, for example, an indoor space in a building. The indoor unit 12 can be fixed to a wall surface of the indoor space at a height of 2 m or more from a floor surface of the indoor space, for example. In addition, the indoor unit 12 may be installed in a space corresponding to the indoor space. The indoor unit 12 houses an indoor heat exchanger 14. The outdoor unit 13 houses a compressor 15, an outdoor heat exchanger 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way valve 18. The indoor heat exchanger 14, the compressor 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the four-way valve 18 form a refrigeration circuit (refrigerant circuit) 19. Further, the outdoor unit 13 is controlled by a first control unit 25 and the indoor unit 12 is controlled by a second control unit 26. The first control unit 25 and the second control unit 26 transmit/receive signals to/from each other.

[0044] The refrigeration circuit 19 includes a first circulation path 21. The first circulation path 21 connects a first port 18a and a second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 to each other. The compressor 15 is disposed in the first circulation path 21. A suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15 is connected to the first port 18a of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. A gas refrigerant is supplied from the first port 18a to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15. The compressor 15 compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant to a predetermined pressure. A discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 is connected to the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. A gas refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 to the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18. The refrigerant pipe may be, for example, a copper pipe.

[0045] The refrigeration circuit 19 further includes a second circulation path 22. The second circulation path 22 connects a third port 18c and a fourth port 18d of the four-way valve 18 to each other. The outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 are incorporated in the second circulation path 22 in order from the third port 18c side. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat energy between the refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and the air in contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat energy between the refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the air in contact with the indoor heat exchanger 14. The second circulation path 22 includes a gas pipe 22a that is connected to the fourth port 18d of the four-way valve 18, is drawn from the outdoor unit 13, and extends toward the indoor heat exchanger 14, and a liquid pipe 22b that is connected to the expansion valve 17, is drawn from the outdoor unit 13, and extends toward the indoor heat exchanger 14.

[0046] A blower fan 23 is incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The blower fan 23 ventilates the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The blower fan 23 generates an air flow in accordance with rotation of an impeller, for example. The air flow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 by the action of the blower fan 23. The outdoor air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and exchanges heat with a refrigerant. The heat-exchanged cold or warm air flow is blown out from the outdoor unit 13. The flow rate of the air flow passing through is adjusted in accordance with the rotation speed of the impeller.

[0047] A blower fan 24 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The blower fan 24 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger 14. The blower fan 24 generates an air flow in accordance with rotation of an impeller. Indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 12 by the action of the blower fan 24. The indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with a refrigerant. The heat-exchanged cold or warm air flow is blown out from the indoor unit 12. The flow rate of the air flow passing through is adjusted in accordance with the rotation speed of the impeller.

[0048] In the case where a cooling operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other and connects the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other. Therefore, a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 to the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 in order. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. The expansion valve 17 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The pressure-reduced refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cool air is generated. The cool air is blown out into the indoor space by the action of the blower fan 24.

[0049] In the case where a heating operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 15 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion valve 17, and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 in order. The indoor heat exchanger 14 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. Warm air is generated. The warm air is blown out into the indoor space by the action of the blower fan 24. The expansion valve 17 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to a low pressure. The pressure-reduced refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. After that, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 15.

[0050] When the heating operation is performed for a long time and the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 reaches below the freezing point, for example, frost adheres to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 in some cases. Therefore, in the heating operation, a defrosting operation for removing frost from the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is periodically performed. In the case where the defrosting operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other and connects the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other, similarly to the cooling operation. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 to the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 in order. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. The blower fan 24 is stopped. As a result, frost adhered to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 melts, and this frost is defrosted from the outdoor heat exchanger 16. Note that water formed when frost has melted in the defrosting operation is referred to as defrost-water. Further, since the defrosting operation is periodically performed during the heating operation, the heating operation may include the defrosting operation, and the defrosting operation and the heating operation may be collectively referred to as the heating operation.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the outdoor unit 13 is fitted into an opening 31 formed in a building wall 29 partitioning an outdoor space and an indoor space from each other. The opening 31 opens to the outdoor space (space outside the building) on an outer wall surface of a building 32. Here, the outdoor unit 13 includes an outside casing 34 defining an internal space that is open to the outdoor space by an open port 33 and isolated from the indoor space by being surrounded by a sound insulation wall. The opening 31 of the building wall 29 has the dimensions determined for PTAC (Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner). The opening 31 penetrates the building wall 29 and connects the indoor space to the outdoor space.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the outside casing 34 includes a wall body 36 that defines a storage port 35 opening toward the indoor space, a front panel 37 that is joined to the wall body 36 to close the storage port 35, and a grill 38 that is connected to the wall body 36 and installed in the open port 33. The wall body 36 includes a first side wall (right side wall) 36a that extends along a virtual plane orthogonal to a wall surface of the building wall 29 at the right end of the opening 31, a second side wall (left side wall) 36b that extends along the virtual plane orthogonal to the wall surface of the building wall 29 at the left end of the opening 31, a bottom plate 36c that is supported so as to be slidable with respect to the wall body 36 in parallel to the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b, a first top wall 36d that extends from the ends of the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b on the outdoor space side toward the indoor space side and is joined to the upper ends of the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b to close an internal space 39 sandwiched between the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b from above, and a second top wall 36e that extends from the first top wall 36d toward the indoor space side to the ends of the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b on the indoor space side to close the internal space 39 from above so as to be openable and closable. The second side wall 36b faces the first side wall 36a from the right and left direction (horizontal direction parallel to the indoor floor surface at the time of installation) and sandwiches the internal space 39 with the first side wall 36a. The first top wall 36d and the second top wall 36e face the bottom plate 36c from the up and down direction (a vertical direction perpendicular to the indoor floor surface at the time of installation or a direction in which the bottom plate 36c and a bottom plate 48 face each other) and sandwich the internal space 39 with the bottom plate 36c. The grill 38 may be embedded in the outer wall of the building 32. In this case, the grill 38 may be omitted from the outside casing 34.

[0053] The first side wall 36a, the second side wall 36b, the bottom plate 36c, the first top wall 36d, the second top wall 36e, and the front panel 37 are each formed as a sound insulation wall. That is, for example, a sound insulation material (sheet) formed of an urethane resin may be stacked on inner surfaces of the first side wall 36a, the second side wall 36b, the bottom plate 36c, the first top wall 36d, the second top wall 36e, and the front panel 37. The sound insulation material may be sandwiched between metal plates, for example. The joints between the first side wall 36a and the bottom plate 36c, the first top wall 36d, and the second top wall 36e can be joined without a gap. The joints between the second side wall 36b and the bottom plate 36c, the first top wall 36d, the second top wall 36e can be joined without a gap, similarly. The joints between the front panel 37 and the bottom plate 36c, the second top wall 36e, the first side wall 36a, and the second side wall 36b can be joined without a gap, similarly. The sound insulation material such as an urethane resin is capable of functioning also as a thermal insulation material at the same time.

[0054] An inside casing 41 that houses the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is disposed in the internal space 39. The inside casing 41 is housed between the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b. The inside casing 41 is supported by the bottom plate 36c from below.

[0055] The inside casing 41 includes a first side plate (right side plate) 43 that faces the first side wall 36a of the outside casing 34 and defines a blower port 42, a second side plate (front plate) 44 that is coupled to an end of the first side plate 43 (end on the indoor space side) in a posture orthogonal to the first side plate 43 and partitions the air passage in the inside casing 41 from the internal space 39 of the outside casing 34, a third side plate 45 that faces the first side plate 43 as shown in FIG. 5 and is coupled to an end of the second side plate 44 to define an air passage between the third side plate 45 and the first side plate 43, and a fourth side plate 47 that faces the second side plate 44 as shown in FIG. 6 and is coupled to the first side plate 43 and the third side plate 45 to define a suction port 46 that is open to the outdoor space. The first side plate 43, the second side plate 44, the third side plate 45, and the fourth side plate 47 rise from the bottom plate 48 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5, a top plate 49 is joined to the upper ends of the first side plate 43, the second side plate 44, the third side plate 45, and the fourth side plate 47. An air passage is defined between the bottom plate 48 and the top plate 49. Here, a suction port 51 that partially faces the second side wall 36b of the outside casing 34 is defined in the third side plate 45.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is disposed along the suction port 51 of the third side plate 45 and the suction port 46 of the fourth side plate 47 in the inside casing 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the blower fan 23 is installed in the blower port 42. The blower fan 23 may be an axial flow fan. The blower fan 23 includes a blade 52 that faces the blower port 42 and rotates around a horizontal axis line. The blade 52 creates an air flow in an axial direction during rotation. The outside air enters the inside casing 41 from the open port 33 through the suction ports 46 and 51. The outside air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16. Heat energy is exchanged between the air passing through and the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The air after heat exchange is blown out from the blower port 42 toward the second side wall 36b. Here, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a lid Ld that closes an opening 49a capable of accessing the air passage in the inside casing 41 may be attached to the top plate 49. A path for accessing a space behind the blower fan 23 and a space inside the outdoor heat exchanger 16 can be provided in accordance with the opening and closing of the lid Ld.

[0057] The refrigeration circuit 19 includes a first switching valve 54 that is incorporated in the gas pipe 22a, is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 via the compressor 15, and protrudes from the third side plate 45 of the inside casing 41, and a second switching valve 55 that is incorporated in the liquid pipe 22b, is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 via the expansion valve 17, and protrudes from the third side plate 45 of the inside casing 41. As shown in FIG. 8, the first switching valve 54 includes an introduction pipe 54a that extends in a vertical direction from the surface of the third side plate 45, a first connection pipe 54b that branches from the introduction pipe 54a and forms a connection port having an axis line set in parallel to the surface of the third side plate 45, and a second connection pipe 54c that branches from the introduction pipe 54a and forms a suction port having an axis line set in parallel to the surface of the third side plate 45. A screw member 56 that switches the opening and closing of the connection port on the basis of rotation of a screw whose rotation axis is an axis line set coaxially with the introduction pipe 54a is attached to the introduction pipe 54a. The screw member 56 is displaced in the axial direction in accordance with rotation around a horizontal axis line Hr. A shape of a hexagon bolt that engages with the mouth of a wrench and receives an operation of the wrench around the axis is formed in the screw member 56.

[0058] The first connection pipe 54b rearwardly extends in the horizontal direction from the introduction pipe 54a toward the open port 33 side. A first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 is connected to the first connection pipe 54b in accordance with tightening of a flare nut 57 around an axis line Hx. The gas passage of the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 is connected to the connection port of the first connection pipe 54b. The first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 is drawn from the outside casing 34 to the indoor space on the indoor space than the edge of the second side wall 36b on the indoor space side. The first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 includes a first region 58a that is linearly continuous from the first connection pipe 54b and extends in the horizontal direction toward the outdoor space side, a second region 58b that bends from the first region 58a and extends in the horizontal direction so as to be away from the third side plate 45, a third region 58c that bends from the second region 58b and extends in the horizontal direction in parallel to the first region 58a toward the storage port 35, a fourth region 58d that bends from the third region 58c, extends in the horizontal direction so as to be away from the third side plate 45, and penetrates the second side wall 36b of the outside casing 34, and a fifth region 58e that bends from the fourth region 58d and rise in the vertical direction on the outside of the outside casing 34.

[0059] The second connection pipe 54c forwardly extends in the horizontal direction from the introduction pipe 54a toward the storage port 35 side. The first connection pipe 54b and the second connection pipe 54c extend from the introduction pipe 54a in a straight line in orientations opposite to each other. A closing bolt 59 that closes the open end of the suction port on the basis of rotation of a screw around an axis line Hc is connected to the second connection pipe 54c. A vacuum pump is connected to the second connection pipe 54c for evacuating the refrigeration circuit 19.

[0060] The second switching valve 55 includes an introduction pipe 55a that extends in the vertical direction from the surface of the third side plate 45 and a connection pipe 55b that branches from the introduction pipe 55a and forms a connection port having an axis line set in parallel to the surface of the third side plate 45. A screw member 61 that switches the opening and closing of the connection port on the basis of rotation of a screw around a horizontal axis line Hz set coaxially with the introduction pipe 55a is attached to the introduction pipe 55a. The screw member 61 is displaced in the axial direction in accordance with rotation around the horizontal axis line Hz. A shape of a hexagon bolt that engages with the mouth of a wrench and receives an operation of the wrench around the axis is formed in the screw member 61.

[0061] The connection pipe 55b rearwardly extends in the horizontal direction from the introduction pipe 55a toward the open port 33 side. A second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 is connected to the connection pipe 55b in accordance with tightening of a flare nut 62 around an axis line Hb. The liquid passage of the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 is connected to the connection port of the connection pipe 55b. The second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 is drawn from the outside casing 34 to the indoor space on the indoor space side than the edge of the second side wall 36b on the indoor space side. The second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 includes a first region 63a that is linearly continuous from the connection pipe 55b and extends in the horizontal direction toward the outdoor space side, a second region 63b that bends from the first region 63a and extends in the horizontal direction so as to be away from the third side plate 45, a third region 63c that bends from the second region 63b and downwardly extends toward the storage port 35 in parallel to the plate surface of the third side plate 45, a fourth region 63d that bends from the third region 63c, extends in the horizontal direction so as to be away from the third side plate 45, and penetrates the second side wall 36b of the outside casing 34, and a fifth region 63e that bends from the fourth region 63d and rises in the vertical direction on the outside of the outside casing 34.

[0062] The edge of the second side wall 36b on the indoor space includes a joining edge 64 that is partitioned in a direction perpendicular to the floor surface and is fitted into the front panel 37, and an escape edge 65 that is recessed from the joining edge 64 toward the outdoor space side and accepts entry of the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63. The escape edge 65 is closed by the front panel 37. As shown in FIG. 9, the escape edge 65 is hardened with a resin material 66. The resin material 66 is formed in the recess of the escape edge 65 to fills the space present around the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63. As shown in FIG. 8, a bracket 67 that supports the fourth region 58d of the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the fourth region 63d of the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 from below is attached to the bottom plate 36c of the outside casing 34. The bracket 67 positions the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 in the recess of the escape edge 65.

[0063] As shown in Part (A) of FIG. 10 and Part (B) of FIG. 10, a guide plate 71 that is bending-molded inwardly from the plate material of the first side wall 36a and linearly extends from the storage port 35 to the open port 33 is joined to the lower end of the first side wall 36a. A one-side edge (right edge) of the bottom plate 36c is received by the guide plate 71 so as to be slidable in parallel to the first side wall 36a. Similarly, although not shown, a guide plate that is bending-molded inwardly from the plate material of the second side wall 36b and linearly extends from the storage port 35 to the open port 33 is joined to the lower end of the second side wall 36b. The other-side edge (left edge) of the bottom plate 36c is received by the guide plate so as to be slidable in parallel to the second side wall 36b. In this way, the bottom plate 36c is capable of sliding and moving on the guide plate 71 in a specific range. A vertical wall 72 that is bending-molded upwardly from the plate material of the bottom plate 36c is joined to the front end (end on the indoor space side) of the bottom plate 36c. A stacking piece 73 that extend toward the outside in the right and left direction is formed at each of the right and left ends of the vertical wall 72. A regulatory piece 74 that inwardly extends is formed at the front end of the first side wall 36a above the guide plate 71. The regulatory piece 74 is bending-molded inwardly from the plate material of the first side wall 36a. When the stacking piece 73 is stacked on the regulatory piece 74, the bottom plate 36c is housed in the internal space of the outside casing 34.

[0064] The outdoor unit 13 is combined with the indoor unit 12 to provide a separate type air conditioner 11. When the outside casing 34 is fitted into the opening 31 of the building wall 29, the internal space 39 of the outside casing 34 is separated from the indoor space by the sound insulation wall. It is possible to prevent air from flowing from the internal space 39 toward the indoor space. The outdoor unit 13 exchanges heat between the outside air entering the internal space 39 and the refrigerant. The efficiency of heat exchange can be satisfactorily achieved. Here, the noise in the outdoor space is blocked by the sound insulation wall. It is possible to satisfactorily prevent noise from entering. The quietness of the indoor space can be satisfactorily achieved.

[0065] The opening 31 of the building wall 29 has the dimensions determined for PTAC. Here, since it may dispose only the outdoor unit 13 in the opening 31 of the building wall 29, a large space can be provided between the blower port 42 and the first side wall 36a of the outside casing 34. In this way, the air after heat exchange can be efficiently discharged from the blower port 42 toward the outdoor space. The flow rate of air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 16 can be increased. It is possible to increase the efficiency of heat exchange in the outdoor unit 13.

[0066] When installing the air conditioner 11, the outside casing 34 is assembled. The first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b are assembled to the first top wall 36d. Subsequently, prior to assembling the bottom plate 36c, the assembly of the first side wall 36a, the second side wall 36b, and the first top wall 36d is installed in the opening 31 of the building wall 29. The assembly may be inserted from the indoor space into the opening 31 of the building wall 29. Here, the installation position of the second top wall 36e can be maintained in the indoor space.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom plate 36c is coupled to the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b. The bottom plate 36c is installed on the guide plate 71 of the first side wall 36a and the guide plate of the second side wall 36b. At this time, the bottom plate 36c can be drawn as much as possible toward the indoor space side. When the inside casing 41 is installed on the bottom plate 36c, the first switching valve 54 and the second switching valve 55 are located on the indoor space side than the storage port 35 of the outside casing 34. Therefore, the movable range of the bottom plate 36c may be adjusted on the basis of the positional relationship between the first switching valve 54 and the second switching valve 55 and the joining edge 64 of the second side wall 36b.

[0068] When installing the air conditioner 11, the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 are respectively connected to the connection ports of the first switching valve 54 and the second switching valve 55. At the time of the connecting, the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 can be supported by the first connection pipe 54b and the bracket 67. The second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 can be supported by the connection pipe 55b and the bracket 67. In this way, the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 can be positioned at fixed positions.

[0069] The flare nut 57 of the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 is tightened with a wrench around the axis line Hx. The connecting can be liquid-tightly established. The flare nut 62 of the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 is tightened with a wrench around the axis line Hb. The connecting can be liquid-tightly established. After connecting the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63, the inside casing 41 is stored in the outside casing 34 from the storage port 35. At this time, since the flare nuts 57 and 62 are located on the indoor space side than the joining edge 64 of the second side wall 36b, the interference between the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 or the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 and the second side wall 36b of the outside casing 34 can be avoided. In this way, since the work with a wrench is performed prior to the storage in the outside casing 34, a sufficient work space can be provided. When connecting the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63, the efficient work can be achieved.

[0070] In this embodiment, the outside casing 34 includes the bottom plate 36c that is supported so as to be slidable with respect to the wall body 36 in parallel to the second side wall 36b and supports the inside casing 41 from below. When storing the inside casing 41, the bottom plate 36c is capable of sliding relative to the wall body 36 of the outside casing 34. Therefore, the work of storing the inside casing 41 can be easily achieved. The efficient work can be achieved. When the bottom plate 36c is pushed into the wall body 36 as much as possible along the guide plate 71 of the first side wall 36a and the guide plate of the second side wall 36b, the inside casing 41 is stored in the internal space 39 of the outside casing 34. In the first side wall 36a, the stacking piece 73 of the bottom plate 36c is stacked on the regulatory piece 74. Similarly, in the second side wall 36b, the stacking piece of the bottom plate 36c is stacked on the regulatory piece.

[0071] After that, at the escape edge 65 of the second side wall 36b, the fluid of the resin material 66 is applied around the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63. Waiting for the resin material 66 to solidify, the escape edge 65 is closed. The sound insulation properties of the outside casing 34 can be achieved. Since the bracket 67 functions as an aggregate of the fluid when applying the resin material 66, the resin material 66 can be satisfactorily held in the escape edge 65 until solidification.

[0072] After the gas pipe 22a and the liquid pipe 22b are respectively connected to the connection ports of the first switching valve 54 and the second switching valve 55, the connection ports of the first switching valve 54 and the second switching valve 55 are opened. In this way, a refrigerant is capable of flowing through the refrigerant pipe. When opening the first switching valve 54 and the second switching valve 55, the screw members 56 and 61 are respectively driven around the horizontal axis lines Hr and Hz. Here, since it may dispose only the outdoor unit 13 in the opening 31 of the building wall 29, a sufficient space can be provided between the second side wall 36b and the third side plate 45 of the inside casing 41. In the internal space 39 of the outside casing 34, for example, the work of respectively driving the screw members 56 and 61 around the horizontal axis lines Hr and Hz with a wrench can be satisfactorily achieved.

[0073] After storing the inside casing 41 in the internal space 39 of the outside casing 34, the second top wall 36e can be installed. The second top wall 36e is tightly joined to the upper end of the first side wall 36a and the upper end of the second side wall 36b. At the time of joining, for example, a sound insulation material formed of urethane can be sandwiched. At the joint between the first top wall 36d and the second top wall 36e, both of them are in contact with each other without a gap. In this way, the first top wall 36d is embedded in the building wall 29 to form a sound insulation wall in the building wall 29. In the case where the second top wall 36e is disposed in the indoor space, a path for accessing the internal space 39 in accordance with the opening and closing of the second top wall 36e can be provided. Even after installing the air conditioner 11, favorable maintenance work can be achieved.

[0074] The storage port 35 of the outside casing 34 is closed by the front panel 37. Since the escape edge 65 is formed in the second side wall 36b of the outside casing 34 when disposing the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63, it is possible to prevent the front panel 37 from protruding toward the indoor space when disposing the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63. It is possible to prevent the outdoor unit 13 from protruding from the building wall 29 as much as possible. In addition, the design of the front panel 37 can be satisfactorily maintained.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 12, the first auxiliary refrigerant pipe 58 and the second auxiliary refrigerant pipe 63 may be drawn from the front panel 37. In such a configuration, the outside casing 34 can be completely housed in the opening 31 of the building wall 29. The wall surface of the building wall 29 and the front panel 37 can be set flush with each other. In this way, the outdoor unit 13 can be used for building walls 29 having various wall thicknesses.

Modified Example

[0076] When frost (ice) adhered to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 melts by the above-mentioned defrosting operation, for example, defrost-water flows down to the bottom plate 48 of the inside casing 41 due to its own weight. Further, the defrost-water falls from a hole (described below) provided in the bottom plate 48 and flows down to the bottom plate 36c of the outside casing 34.

[0077] However, when the defrosting operation is switched to the heating operation, cold outside air (e.g., outside air below the freezing point) is sucked into the inside casing 41 again from the open port 33. Then, in the case where the temperature of outside air sucked in the inside casing 41 is below the freezing point, there is a possibility that defrost-water accumulated in the bottom plate 36c of the outside casing 34 comes into contact with outside air and the defrost-water freezes. Then, if the defrost-water repeatedly freezes, there is a possibility that the hole provided in the bottom plate 48 is closed by ice and the defrost-water is not drained to the outside casing 34.

[0078] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, in the air conditioner 11, a heater 80 for preventing defrost-water from freezing may be disposed in the outside casing 34. The heater 80 is, for example, a resistance heating type heater. The heater 80 generates Joule heat by energizing a current inside thereof. Further, the heater 80 heats the member therearound.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 14, the heater 80 is disposed between the inside casing 41 and the outside casing 34, for example. As a result, it is possible to prevent defrost-water from freezing between the inside casing 41 and the outside casing 34. A defrost-water tray (hereinafter, referred to also as a drain pan 36s ) is provided between the inside casing 41 and the outside casing 34 (described below). The drain pan 36s temporarily stores defrost-water generated when frost adhered to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 of the outdoor unit 13 has melted. The drain pan 36s includes a bottom surface 36s1 and a side surface 36s2 erected from the outer periphery of the bottom surface 36s1.

[0080] FIG. 15 shows the plane of the outside casing 34 as viewed from the top when the inside casing 41 has been removed. FIG. 15 shows the outer shape of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 by a broken line, in addition to the outside casing 34. As shown in FIG. 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 16 has an L shape.

[0081] The heater 80 forms a loop and is fixed to the bottom surface 36s1 by a fixture 81. The heater 80 comes into contact with the bottom surface 36s1. A conductive wire (not shown) for supplying electric power to the heater 80 is connected to an end portion 80p and an end portion 80n that are terminations of the heater 80. The power supply to the heater 80 is controlled by the first control unit 25.

[0082] The drain pan 36s is provided in a region of the outside casing 34 defined by a broken line P1. The inside casing 41 is disposed above the region defined by the broken line P1. As a result, a certain amount of defrost-water that is generated when frost adhered to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 has melted and drained from the inside casing 41 can be stored in the drain pan 36s. Further, at least part of the heater 80 is housed in the drain pan 36s. As a result, the heat generated by the heater 80 makes it possible to prevent the defrost-water stored in the drain pan 36s from freezing again by outside air.

[0083] Further, a drain 36h for discharging defrost-water to the outside of the outside casing 34 is provided in each of the bottom surface 36s1 and the bottom plate 36c. Further, a pump (not shown) such as a drain pump for discharging defrost-water to the outside of the outside casing 34 via the drain 36h is provided in the inside casing 41 or the outside casing 34. As a result, the defrost-water collected in the drain pan 36s is drained by the pump, thereby preventing defrost-water from overflowing from the drain pan 36s. Note that the pump can be operated independently of the operation of the air conditioner 11. As a result, even in the case where rainwater accumulates in the drain pan 36s due to a storm or the like while the operation of the air conditioner 11 is stopped, the pump is operated by a float switch mounted on the pump and defrost-water is drained.

[0084] Further, a plurality of holes 48h shown by broken lines in FIG. 15 shows the outer shapes of a plurality of holes provided in the bottom plate 48 of the inside casing 41 facing the bottom surface 36s1 of the drain pan 36s in the up and down direction. The plurality of holes 48h is located below the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The defrost-water that has flowed down from the outdoor heat exchanger 16 by the defrosting operation falls from the inside casing 41 to the bottom surface 36s1 of the drain pan 36s via the plurality of holes 48h. Further, the plurality of holes 48h is arranged side by side in accordance with the outer shape of the outdoor heat exchanger 16 having an L shape. Part of the heater 80 is housed in the drain pan 36s so as to be along a direction in which the plurality of holes 48h is lined up in the outside casing 34. Further, another part of the heater 80 different from the part is housed in the drain pan 36s so as to be adjacent to the drain 36h in the outside casing 34. Specifically, the heater 80 includes a straight portion that linearly extends and a plurality of bending portions that bends at an acute angle or an obtuse angle. The straight portion is disposed on the bottom surface 36s1 so as to be along a direction in which the holes 48h are lined up. Then, one of the bending portions is disposed on the bottom surface 36s1 so as to be along the edge of the drain 36h. As a result, defrost-water in the plurality of holes 48h and the drain 36h or around each of the plurality of holes 48h and the drain 36h is prevented from freezing. Further, defrost-water is guided to the drain 36h by the heater 80. Then, it is possible to reliably drain defrost-water to the outside of the outside casing 34 via the plurality of holes 48h and the drain 36h. Since defrost-water is guided to the drain 36h by the heater 80, the defrost-water is prevented from storing in a place away from the heater 80. For this reason, the heater 80 does not need to be heated to a temperature high enough to heat the entire bottom surface 36s1 in order to prevent defrost-water from freezing. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in electric power to be applied to the heater 80.

[0085] The first control unit 25 that controls the heater 80 is provided in, for example, the inside casing 41. The first control unit 25 energizes the heater 80 in the case where the first control unit 25 has received a signal indicating a heating operation (heating operation including a defrosting operation) from the second control unit 26 provided in the indoor unit 12. For example, in the case where a user uses a remote controller (not shown) of the air conditioner 11 to select a heating operation mode of the air conditioner 11, the first control unit 25 receives a signal indicating a heating operation mode from the second control unit 26 and energizes the heater 80. By performing the control of energizing the heater 80 by the first control unit 25 included in the air conditioner 11, it is possible to energize the heater 80 in synchronization with a heating operation.

[0086] Also the control of suppressing power consumption of the heater 80 can be performed. For example, the heater 80 may be controlled to start energization in accordance with the outside temperature in the heating operation by the control of the first control unit 25 and may start energization when the outside temperature reaches, for example, 2° C. or less. The outside temperature is detected from the suction air by an outside temperature thermistor 86. By setting the outside temperature for starting energization of the heater 80 to be higher than 0° C., it is possible to prevent defrost-water from freezing even in the case where a measurement error by an outside temperature thermistor occurs. Further, by not raising the outside temperature for starting energization of the heater 80 too much, unnecessary consumption of electric power can be suppressed. Further, the heater 80 is set such that the heater surface temperature is higher than 0° C. even in the case where the outside temperature is −15° C., for example. In this way, even in the case where the outside temperature is extremely reduced, it is possible to prevent defrost-water from freezing.

[0087] Further, also in this modified example, a sound insulation material is disposed on the inner surface of each of the first side wall 36a, the second side wall 36b, the bottom plate 36c (excluding the position where the drain pan 36s is provided), the first top wall 36d, the second top wall 36e, and the front panel 37. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 16, a sound insulation material 85 is further provided on the outside of the outside casing 34 corresponding to the position where the drain pan 36s is disposed. For example, the sound insulation material 85 is disposed below the bottom plate 36c. As the material of the sound insulation material 85, foamed polyethylene or the like having excellent sound insulation properties, thermal insulation properties, flexibility, and processability is applied. By disposing the sound insulation material 85 below the bottom plate 36c, the sound of the compressor 15 and the sound drainage of defrost-water from the drain pan 36s where no sound insulation material is disposed on the inner surface are more reliably prevented from leaking from the inside casing 41 or the outside casing 34 into the room. Further, even in the case where cold outside air is sucked from the open port 33 into the inside casing 41, thermal insulation is performed regarding the temperature of outside air by the thermal insulation properties of the sound insulation material 85 and the indoor temperature is less affected by the outside temperature. Note that the sound insulation material 85 may be provided on the outside of the outside casing 34 corresponding to the position where at least the drain pan 36s is disposed.

[0088] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to only the above-mentioned embodiment and various modifications can be made. The respective embodiments are not limited to the independent embodiments and can be combined with each other if technically possible.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0089] 11 air conditioner, 12 indoor unit, 13

[0090] outdoor unit, 14 indoor heat exchanger, 15

[0091] compressor, 15a suction pipe, 15b discharge pipe, 16 outdoor heat exchanger, 17 expansion valve, 18 four-way valve, 18a first port, 18b

[0092] second port, 18c third port, 18d fourth port, 19 refrigerant circuit (refrigeration circuit), 21 circulation path, 22 circulation path, 22a

[0093] gas pipe, 22b liquid pipe, 23 blower fan, 24

[0094] blower fan, 25 first control unit, 26 second control unit, 29 building wall, 31 opening, 32

[0095] building, 33 open port, 34 outside casing, 35

[0096] storage port, 36 wall body, 36a side wall (first side wall), 36b second side wall, 36c

[0097] bottom plate, 36d first top wall, 36e second top wall, 36h drain, 36s drain pan, 36s1 bottom surface, 36s2 side surface, 37 front panel, 38

[0098] grill, 39 internal space (of outside casing), 41

[0099] inside casing, 42 blower port, 43 right side plate (first side plate), 44 front plate (second side plate), 45 side plate (third side plate), 46

[0100] suction port, 47 fourth side plate, 48

[0101] bottom plate, 48h hole, 49 top plate, 49a

[0102] opening, 51 suction port, 52 blade, 54

[0103] switching valve (first switching valve), 55

[0104] switching valve (second switching valve), 58

[0105] auxiliary refrigerant pipe (first auxiliary refrigerant pipe), 63 an auxiliary refrigerant pipe (second auxiliary refrigerant pipe), 64 joining edge, 65 escape edge, 66 resin material, 67 bracket, 71 guide plate, 72 vertical wall, 73 stacking piece, 74 regulatory piece, 80 heater, 80p end portion, 80n end portion, 81 fixture, 85 sound insulation material, 86 outside temperature thermistor, Hb axis line of (connection port), Hr axis line (horizontal axis line) of (screw), Hx axis line of (connection port), Hz axis line (horizontal axis line) of (screw).