INDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An indoor unit of an air conditioner prevents spread of fire from an electrical component box. An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is an indoor unit of an air conditioner, including an electrical component box that includes a main body portion and a lid portion and houses an electrical component. The electrical component box includes the lid portion and the main body portion into which the lid portion is fitted. A first fire spread prevention member formed of a first non-flammable material having flexibility is provided at a joint formed when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined or at a portion adjacent to the joint in the electrical component box.

Claims

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising an electrical component box that includes a main body portion and a lid portion and houses an electrical component, wherein a first fire spread prevention member formed of a first non-flammable material having flexibility is provided at a joint formed when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined or at a portion adjacent to the joint in the electrical component box.

2. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a second fire spread prevention member formed of a second non-flammable material having a higher degree of hardness than the first non-flammable material is provided at the joint or the portion adjacent to the joint in addition to the first fire spread prevention member, and the second fire spread prevention member is disposed at a portion other than a portion where the first fire spread prevention member is provided.

3. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first fire spread prevention member is disposed on an outside or an inside of the electrical component box.

4. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the first fire spread prevention member is disposed on both the outside and the inside of the electrical component box.

5. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the second fire spread prevention member is disposed on an outside of the electrical component box.

6. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first non-flammable material is at least one of an electrically conductive material or an insulating material, and the first fire spread prevention member is formed of at least one of the electrically conductive material or the insulating material.

7. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the first fire spread prevention member formed of the electrically conductive material is disposed on an outside of the electrical component box, and the first fire spread prevention member formed of the insulating material is disposed on an inside of the electrical component box.

8. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the second non-flammable material is formed of a metal material.

9. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes a first base portion, and a first side portion that is continuous with the first base portion and raised from the first base portion, the lid portion includes a second base portion, and a second side portion that is continuous with the second base portion and raised from the second base portion, the first base portion includes a first main surface that faces the second base portion, and a second main surface that is on an opposite side of the first main surface, the second base portion includes a third main surface that faces the first base portion, and a fourth main surface that is on an opposite side of the third main surface, when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined, the joint includes a joint portion at which the first base portion and the second side portion are joined, and an overlap portion at which the first side portion and the second side portion overlap to be joined, and the first fire spread prevention member is provided to at least one of the first main surface or the second main surface along the joint portion.

10. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the first non-flammable material is at least one of an electrically conductive material or an insulating material, the first fire spread prevention member is formed of at least one of the electrically conductive material or the insulating material, the first main surface is provided with the first fire spread prevention member formed of the insulating material, and the second main surface is provided with the first fire spread prevention member formed of the electrically conductive material.

11. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes a first base portion, and a first side portion that is continuous with the first base portion and raised from the first base portion, the lid portion includes a second base portion, and a second side portion that is continuous with the second base portion and raised from the second base portion, the first base portion includes a first main surface that faces the second base portion, and a second main surface that is on an opposite side of the first main surface, the second base portion includes a third main surface that faces the first base portion, and a fourth main surface that is on an opposite side of the third main surface, when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined, the joint includes a joint portion at which the first base portion and the second side portion are joined, and an overlap portion at which the first side portion and the second side portion overlap to be joined, and the first fire spread prevention member is provided to the first side portion that forms the overlap portion on an inside of the electrical component box.

12. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the first fire spread prevention member is formed of an insulating material.

13. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes a first base portion, and a first side portion that is continuous with the first base portion and raised from the first base portion, the lid portion includes a second base portion, and a second side portion that is continuous with the second base portion and raised from the second base portion, the first base portion includes a first main surface that faces the second base portion, and a second main surface that is on an opposite side of the first main surface, the second base portion includes a third main surface that faces the first base portion, and a fourth main surface that is on an opposite side of the third main surface, when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined, the joint includes a joint portion at which the first base portion and the second side portion are joined, and an overlap portion at which the first side portion and the second side portion overlap to be joined, and the first fire spread prevention member is provided to the second side portion adjacent to the joint portion on at least one of an inside or an outside of the electrical component box.

14. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein the first non-flammable material is at least one of an electrically conductive material or an insulating material, the first fire spread prevention member is formed of at least one of the electrically conductive material or the insulating material, and the second side portion is provided with the first fire spread prevention member formed of the insulating material on the inside of the electrical component box, and is provided with the first fire spread prevention member formed of the electrically conductive material on the outside of the electrical component box.

15. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the main body portion includes a first base portion, and a first side portion that is continuous with the first base portion and raised from the first base portion, the lid portion includes a second base portion, and a second side portion that is continuous with the second base portion and raised from the second base portion, the first base portion includes a first main surface that faces the second base portion, and a second main surface that is on an opposite side of the first main surface, the second base portion includes a third main surface that faces the first base portion, and a fourth main surface that is on an opposite side of the third main surface, when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined, the joint includes a joint portion at which the first base portion and the second side portion are joined, and an overlap portion at which the first side portion and the second side portion overlap to be joined, the first fire spread prevention member is provided to the second side portion adjacent to the joint portion on the outside of the electrical component box, and the second fire spread prevention member and the first fire spread prevention member are aligned along the second side portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1 (a) of FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an overview of an air conditioner according to this embodiment. (b) of FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an overview of a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 2 (a) and (b) of FIG. 2 are schematic perspective views of a side portion on the right side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in (a) of FIG. 1.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical component box.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the electrical component box is formed by combining a main body portion and a lid portion in the electrical component box shown in FIG. 3.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical component box.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the electrical component box is formed by combining a main body portion and a lid portion in the electrical component box shown in FIG. 5.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical component box.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the electrical component box is formed by combining a main body portion and a lid portion in the electrical component box shown in FIG. 7.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a fire spread prevention member is provided to the electrical component box.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a fire spread prevention member is provided to the electrical component box.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing an example in which the first fire spread prevention member is disposed in the main body portion of the electrical component box.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing another example in which the first fire spread prevention member is disposed in the main body portion of the electrical component box.

[0062] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing an example in which the first fire spread prevention member is disposed in the lid portion of the component box.

[0063] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical component box in which a second fire spread prevention member is provided in addition to the first fire spread prevention member.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0064] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, XYZ-axis coordinates may be introduced. Further, the same members or the members having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols in some cases, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate after those members are described.

(Air Conditioner)

[0065] (a) of FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an overview of an air conditioner according to this embodiment. (b) of FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an overview of a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 show an example of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to this example. In the following, connection means that a heat exchanger and a pressure reducing device, which are components of a refrigerant circuit, are connected by pipes (refrigerant pipes) shown by the solid lines in (b) of FIG. 1 to form a refrigerant circuit.

[0066] As shown in (a) of FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 20 installed indoors and an outdoor unit 30 installed outdoors. The indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 are connected to each other via a pipe 21a and a pipe 21f. Furthermore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes a control device 40 in addition to the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30. The air conditioner 1 is an air conditioner that enables a cooling operation and a heating operation. In the indoor unit 20, the right-left direction is the X-axis direction, the front-back direction (depth direction) is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.

[0067] The indoor unit 20 is attached to the wall of a room. The indoor unit 20 includes an indoor heat exchanger 200, a temperature sensor 240, and an indoor fan 250. The indoor heat exchanger 200, the temperature sensor 240, and the indoor fan 250 are housed in a casing 260 of the indoor unit 20 shown in (a) of FIG. 1. Further, the indoor unit 20 includes an electrical component box 100. The casing 260 includes a top plate 260t, a right side plate 260r, a left side plate 260l, a bottom plate 260b, and a front plate (front panel) 260f. Each of those plates are formed of, for example, a resin. Further, the side of the front plate 260f is assumed as a front side, and the opposite side of the front side is assumed as a back side, with the indoor unit 20 being attached to a wall.

[0068] The indoor heat exchanger 200 shown in (b) of FIG. 1 is, for example, a heat exchanger that includes a plurality of metal fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes. The temperature sensor 240 detects the temperature of air in the room in which the indoor unit 20 is attached. Examples of the temperature sensor 240 include a thermistor.

[0069] The outdoor unit 30 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 300, a compressor 310, a four-way valve 320, a pressure reducing device 330, a temperature sensor 340, and an outdoor fan 350. The outdoor heat exchanger 300, the compressor 310, the four-way valve 320, the pressure reducing device 330, the temperature sensor 340, and the outdoor fan 350 are housed in a casing 360 of the outdoor unit 30 shown in (a) of FIG. 1.

[0070] The outdoor heat exchanger 300 shown in (b) of FIG. 1 includes, for example, a plurality of metal fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes. The pressure reducing device 330 is, for example, an expansion valve.

[0071] The compressor 310 is connected between the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the outdoor heat exchanger 300. Further, the four-way valve 320 is connected between the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the compressor 310 and between the outdoor heat exchanger 300 and the compressor 310.

[0072] The outdoor heat exchanger 300 is connected between the four-way valve 320 and the pressure reducing device 330. The pressure reducing device 330 is connected between the outdoor heat exchanger 300 and the indoor heat exchanger 200. The four-way valve 320, the outdoor heat exchanger 300, and the pressure reducing device 330 are connected in series. The outdoor fan 350 is disposed in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 300.

[0073] The temperature sensor 340 detects the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 300. Examples of the temperature sensor 340 include a thermistor.

[0074] The control device 40 controls the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30. The control device 40 includes an indoor unit controller (not shown) disposed in the indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit controller (not shown) disposed in the outdoor unit 30. Of those, the indoor unit controller is included in a circuit board 41 (described later) that is housed in the electrical component box 100 shown in (a) of FIG. 1. The electrical component box 100 is attached to a side portion 270 on the side surface of the indoor unit 20 (e.g., on the side of the right side plate 260r) with the indoor unit 20 being attached to the wall.

[0075] The pipe 21a connects the indoor heat exchanger 200 and the pressure reducing device 330 to each other. A pipe 21b connects the pressure reducing device 330 and the outdoor heat exchanger 300 to each other. A pipe 21c connects the outdoor heat exchanger 300 and the four-way valve 320 to each other. A pipe 21d connects the four-way valve 320 and the compressor 310 to each other. A pipe 21e connects the compressor 310 and the four-way valve 320 to each other. The pipe 21f connects the four-way valve 320 and the indoor heat exchanger 200 to each other.

[0076] (a) and (b) of FIG. 2 are schematic perspective views of a side portion on the right side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in (a) of FIG. 1. (a) of FIG. 2 shows that the circuit board 41 is housed inside a main body portion 110 of the electrical component box 100, and (b) of FIG. 2 shows that a lid portion 120 of the electrical component box 100 is removed.

[0077] The circuit board 41 is equipped with a microcomputer that forms the indoor unit controller as described above, and the like. The indoor unit controller controls, for example, a rotation speed of the indoor fan 250. The circuit board 41 is housed in the main body portion 110 of the electrical component box 100. The circuit board 41 is fixed to the main body portion 110 with a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw. Further, a drive mechanism (motor) 251 that drives the indoor fan 250 ((b) of FIG. 1 of the indoor unit 20 is disposed below the circuit board 41.

(Electrical Component Box)

[0078] FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 are schematic perspective views of the electrical component box. FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 show the electrical component box 100 respectively viewed from different angles. For example, FIG. 3 shows the electrical component box 100 attached to the indoor unit 20 as viewed from the right side obliquely downward. FIG. 5 shows the electrical component box 100 attached to the indoor unit 20 as viewed from the right side obliquely upward. FIG. 7 shows the electrical component box 100 attached to the indoor unit 20 as viewed from the left side obliquely downward. Further, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the electrical component box is formed by combining the main body portion and the lid portion in the electrical component box shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the electrical component box is formed by combining the main body portion and the lid portion in the electrical component box shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the electrical component box is formed by combining the main body portion and the lid portion in the electrical component box shown in FIG. 7. In FIGS. 4, 6, and 8, the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120 are moved in, for example, the direction of the arrow to be combined with each other, so that the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120 are combined with each other to form the electrical component box 100.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the electrical component box 100 includes the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120. An inner space 100h is formed inside the electrical component box 100. Electrical components (e.g., circuit board 41 equipped with a microcomputer that forms the indoor unit controller) of the indoor unit 20 are housed in the inner space 100h. The main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120 are formed of a flame-retardant material, for example, a flame-retardant resin, for the purpose of preventing spread of fire from the electrical components or the like housed inside to the outside of the electrical component box 100. Further, the surface facing the inner space 100h in the main body portion 110 is referred to as a first main surface 111a, and the surface facing the outside of the main body portion 110 is referred to as a second main surface 111b. Further, the surface facing the inner space 100h in the lid portion 120 is described as a third main surface 121a, and the surface facing the outside of the lid portion 120 is described as a fourth main surface 121b.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 8, the main body portion 110 includes a first base portion 111 and a first side portion 112. The first side portion 112 is continuous with the first base portion 111 and is raised from the first base portion to be substantially perpendicular thereto, for example. Here, substantially perpendicular includes a completely perpendicular state and a nearly perpendicular state. The first side portion 112 includes a side portion 112a (first sidewall portion), a side portion 112b (second sidewall portion), and a side portion 112c (third sidewall portion). The side portion 112a and the side portion 112b are substantially orthogonal to and continuous with each other. The side portion 112b and the side portion 112c are substantially orthogonal to and continuous with each other. The side portion 112a and the side portion 112c face each other. Here, substantially orthogonal includes a state intersecting in a completely perpendicular manner and a state intersecting in a nearly perpendicular manner. Further, in the side portion 112a, an inner surface is referred to as an inner side surface 112aa, and the opposite surface of the inner side surface 112aa is referred to as an outer side surface 112ab.

[0081] The first base portion 111 includes the first main surface 111a and the second main surface 111b serving as the opposite surface of the first main surface 111a as described above. The circuit board 41 shown in (b) of FIG. 2 is fixed to the first main surface 111a of the first base portion 111, which is surrounded by the side portion 112a, the side portion 112b, and the side portion 112c. Note that a portion provided below the side portion 112c in the main body portion 110 is a motor case portion 110m that houses a part of the drive mechanism 251 shown in (b) of FIG. 2.

[0082] The lid portion 120 includes a second base portion 121 and a second side portion 122. The second side portion 122 is continuous with the second base portion 121 and is raised from the second base portion 121 to be substantially perpendicular thereto, for example. The second side portion 122 includes a side portion 122a (fourth sidewall portion), a side portion 122b (fifth sidewall portion), and a side portion 122c (sixth sidewall portion). The side portion 122a and the side portion 122b intersect with each other at an obtuse angle and are continuous with each other. The side portion 122b and the side portion 122c intersect with each other at an obtuse angle and are continuous with each other. The side portion 122a and the side portion 122c are disposed to be substantially orthogonal to each other. Further, in the side portion 122a, the inner surface is referred to as an inner side surface 122aa, and the opposite surface of the inner side surface 122aa is referred to as an outer side surface 122ab. Further, in the side portion 122c, the inner surface is referred to as an inner side surface 122ca, and the opposite surface of the inner side surface 122ca is referred to as an outer side surface 122cb.

[0083] The second base portion 121 includes the third main surface 121a and the fourth main surface 121b on the opposite side of the third main surface 121a as described above. When the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120 are combined, the third main surface 121a of the second base portion 121 faces the first main surface 111a of the first base portion 111. Further, the circuit board 41 ((b) of FIG. 2) is located between the first main surface 111a of the first base portion 111 and the third main surface 121a of the second base portion 121.

[0084] In the electrical component box 100, when the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120 are combined, a joint 150 is formed between the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120. Here, joint means a portion formed when end portions of the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120 are abutted, or a portion formed when the surfaces of the main body portion 110 and the lid portion 120 partially overlap. In each of FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, a dotted portion is shown as a joint 150. The joint 150 includes a joint portion 151 and an overlap portion 152. Furthermore, the joint portion 151 includes a joint portion 151a and a joint portion 151b. In the joint portion 151, a part of the first base portion 111 and a part of the second side portion 122 shown in FIG. 4 are abutted with each other. In the overlap portion 152, a part of the first side portion 112 and a part of the second side portion 122 shown in FIG. 4 overlap with each other to be joined.

[0085] In this embodiment, the joint portion 151a is formed when a first end portion 111e1 of the base portion 111 of the main body portion 110 and the side portion 122b of the second side portion 122 of the lid portion 120 are joined. The joint portion 151b is formed when a second end portion 111e2 of the base portion 111 of the main body portion 110 and the side portion 122c of the second side portion 122 of the lid portion 120 are joined.

[0086] Further, the overlap portion 152 is formed when the side portion 112a of the first side portion 112 of the main body portion 110 and the side portion 122a of the second side portion 122 of the lid portion 120 overlap with each other. Specifically, the overlap portion 152 is formed when the outer side surface 112ab of the side portion 112a of the main body portion 110 and the inner side surface 122aa of the side portion 122a of the lid portion 120 overlap with each other. In other words, the side portion 112a is provided on the inner side relative to the side portion 122a in the electrical component box 100.

(Fire Spread Prevention Member)

[0087] In the electrical component box 100, a fire spread prevention member is disposed on the outside or inside of the electrical component box 100. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (adhesive layer) is interposed between the electrical component box 100 and the fire spread prevention member. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known pressure-sensitive adhesives such as acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives, rubber pressure-sensitive adhesives, silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives, urethane pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyester pressure-sensitive adhesives, and styrene-diene block copolymer pressure-sensitive adhesives. Hereinafter, this embodiment shows an example in which a fire spread prevention member is disposed on both the outside and the inside of the electrical component box 100.

[0088] (a) of FIG. 9 to (b) of FIG. 10 are schematic perspective views each showing a state in which the fire spread prevention member is provided to the electrical component box. In (a) and (b) of FIG. 9, the outline of the fire spread prevention member disposed inside the electrical component box 100 is shown by the broken lines. In (a) and (b) of FIG. 10, the outline of the fire spread prevention member disposed outside the electrical component box 100 is shown by the solid lines.

[0089] In the electrical component box 100, a first fire spread prevention member 1000 is provided to the joint 150 or a portion close to the joint 150. The first fire spread prevention member 1000 includes a fire spread prevention member 1001, a fire spread prevention member 1002, a fire spread prevention member 1003, a fire spread prevention member 1004, and a fire spread prevention member 1005. Each member of the first fire spread prevention member 1000 is formed into a sheet shape and formed of a non-flammable material having flexibility (first non-flammable material). For example, the non-flammable material (first non-flammable material) is at least one of an electrically conductive material or an insulating material. The electrically conductive material is, for example, metal such as aluminum. The insulating material is, for example, mineral such as mica. Note that when the electrically conductive material is used as the first non-flammable material, it is favorable to use a material having higher heat resistance property than the insulating material.

[0090] In the first fire spread prevention member 1000, the fire spread prevention members 1001, 1002, and 1003 are provided inside the electrical component box 100. Each of the fire spread prevention members 1001, 1002, and 1003 is formed of an insulating material. Further, in the first fire spread prevention member 1000, the fire spread prevention members 1004 and 1005 are provided outside the electrical component box 100. The fire spread prevention members 1004 and 1005 are each formed of an electrically conductive material.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing an example in which the first fire spread prevention member is disposed in the main body portion of the electrical component box.

[0092] In the first fire spread prevention member 1000, the fire spread prevention member 1001 is provided to the side portion 112a of the first side portion 112 in the main body portion 110. In this embodiment, the fire spread prevention member 1001 is provided to the inner side surface 112aa of the side portion 112a inside the main body portion 110. The fire spread prevention member 1001 is formed of an insulating material.

[0093] (a) and (b) of FIG. 12 are schematic perspective views showing another example in which the first fire spread prevention member is disposed in the main body portion of the electrical component box.

[0094] In the first fire spread prevention member 1000, the fire spread prevention member 1002 is provided along the first end portion 111e1 and the second end portion 111e2 on the first main surface 111a of the main body portion 110 ((a) of FIG. 12). The fire spread prevention member 1002 is formed of an insulating material. Further, in the first fire spread prevention member 1000, the fire spread prevention member 1005 is provided along the first end portion 111e1 on the second main surface 111b of the main body portion 110. The fire spread prevention member 1005 is formed of an electrically conductive material. Either the fire spread prevention member 1002 or the fire spread prevention member 1005 may not be provided from the main body portion 110.

[0095] (a) and (b) of FIG. 13 are schematic perspective views showing an example in which the first fire spread prevention member is disposed in the lid portion of the electrical component box.

[0096] In the first fire spread prevention member 1000, the fire spread prevention member 1003 is provided to the inner side surface 122ca of the side portion 122c of the second side portion 122 in the lid portion 120. The fire spread prevention member 1003 is formed of an insulating material. Further, in the first fire spread prevention member 1000, the fire spread prevention member 1004 is provided to the outer side surface 122cb of the side portion 122c of the second side portion 122. The fire spread prevention member 1004 is formed of an electrically conductive material. Either the fire spread prevention member 1003 or the fire spread prevention member 1004 may not be provided to the lid portion 120.

[0097] (a) and (b) of FIG. 14 are schematic perspective views of an electrical component box in which a second fire spread prevention member is provided in addition to the first fire spread prevention member.

[0098] In addition to the first fire spread prevention member 1000, a second fire spread prevention member 2000 is provided to the joint 150 or a portion close to the joint 150. The second fire spread prevention member 2000 is disposed at a portion other than the portion where the first fire spread prevention member 1000 (not shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 14) is provided.

[0099] The second fire spread prevention member 2000 is disposed outside the electrical component box 100. The second fire spread prevention member 2000 includes, for example, a fire spread prevention member 2001 ((a) of FIG. 14) and a fire spread prevention member 2002 ((b) of FIG. 14). For example, the fire spread prevention member 2001 covers at least a part of each of the second base portion 121, the side portion 122a, and the side portion 122b in the lid portion 120 from the outside of the electrical component box 100. Further, the fire spread prevention member 2002 covers at least a part of the first base portion 111 in the main body portion 110 from the outside of the electrical component box 100. A part of the fire spread prevention member 2001 and the fire spread prevention member 1004 are aligned along the side portion 122a, the side portion 122b, and the side portion 122c of the lid portion 120.

[0100] Each of the fire spread prevention members 2001 and 2002 is formed of a second non-flammable material having a higher degree of hardness (e.g., Mohs hardness) than a non-flammable material having flexibility (first non-flammable material). The second non-flammable material is formed of a metal material such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum. In this embodiment, each of the fire spread prevention members 2001 and 2002 is formed of a sheet metal subjected to bending.

(Action)

[0101] If a main body portion made of resin and a lid portion made of resin are fitted into each other to form an electrical component box, the spread of fire may occur from the joint of the main body portion and the lid portion to the outside of the electrical component box. This is due to the following reasons, for example.

[0102] For example, if a circuit board ignites in the electrical component box and air flows into the electrical component box from a gap of the joint, the flames grow in intensity near the joint. Subsequently, the resin near the joint is softened by the heat from the flames, and the resin is deformed from the effect of gravity and stress, causing the gap of the joint to widen. As a result, the flames leak out from the widened joint, and the fire can spread to the outside of the electrical component box.

[0103] A conceivable countermeasure against the spread of fire as described above is a method of adding a material that is not easily deformed by heat, for example, a sheet metal as in this embodiment, to the vicinity of the joint to reinforce the strength (heat resistance property) near the joint. However, depending on the outer appearance shape of the electrical component box, it may be difficult to process a sheet metal to match the shape of the electrical component box, and there is a need for a simpler method to prevent the spread of fire from the electrical component box.

[0104] In contrast to the above, in the electrical component box 100 of the embodiment, the first fire spread prevention member 1000 formed into a sheet shape and having flexibility is provided at the joint 150 of the electrical component box 100 or at a portion adjacent to the joint 150. As a result, even if the circuit board 41 ignites in the electrical component box 100, a gap of the joint 150 is less likely to deform and expand because the main body portion 110 or the lid portion 120 near the joint 150 has an increased thermal strength by the first fire spread prevention member 1000 having high heat resistance property, which is formed of a non-flammable material. This prevents the phenomenon in which the joint is widened by ignition and flames leak from the joint, causing the spread of fire to the outside of the electrical component box.

[0105] Further, the first fire spread prevention member 1000 is disposed on the upper side of the electrical component box 100. Thus, if the circuit board 41 ignites and the flames reach the upper side of the electrical component box 100, the deformation of the joint 150 on the upper side of the electrical component box 100 is less likely to occur.

[0106] Further, the first fire spread prevention member 1000 has a sheet shape and plasticity, and thus the first fire spread prevention member 1000 can be easily attached to the electrical component box 100 according to the outer appearance shape of the electrical component box 100.

[0107] Further, the fire spread prevention members 1001, 1002, and 1003 disposed inside the electrical component box 100 are formed of an insulating material, and thus electrical short-circuit is less likely to occur between electric parts mounted on the circuit board 41 and the fire spread prevention members 1001, 1002, and 1003. On the other hand, the electrical short-circuit described above does not occur outside the electrical component box 100. Therefore, the fire spread prevention members 1004 and 1005, which are formed of an electrically conductive material having higher heat resistance property than the insulating material, are provided outside the electrical component box 100, so that the deformation of the joint 150 of the electrical component box 100 can be more effectively prevented. Note that if the distance between the electrical component box 100 and the circuit board 41 can be maintained inside the electrical component box 100 to the extent that electrical short-circuit does not occur, the fire spread prevention members 1001, 1002, and 1003 may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Further, if a device or member that causes electrical short-circuit is disposed in the vicinity of the electrical component box 100 on the outside of the electrical component box 100, the fire spread prevention members 1004 and 1005 may be formed of an insulating material.

[0108] Further, in the electrical component box 100, the second fire spread prevention member 2000 formed of a non-flammable material having a higher degree of hardness than the first fire spread prevention member 1000 may be provided in addition to the first fire spread prevention member 1000. The arrangement of the second fire spread prevention member 2000 provides higher mechanical strength in the vicinity of the joint 150. This further prevents the phenomenon in which the joint is widened and flames leak from the joint, causing the spread of fire to the outside of the electrical component box.

[0109] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and various modifications can be made. Each embodiment is not necessarily an independent form, and can be combined as far as technologically possible.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0110] 1 air conditioner [0111] 20 indoor unit [0112] 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f pipe [0113] 30 outdoor unit [0114] 40 control device [0115] 41 circuit board [0116] 100 electrical component box [0117] 100h inner space [0118] 110m motor case portion [0119] 110 main body portion [0120] 111 first base portion [0121] 111a first main surface [0122] 111b second main surface [0123] 111e1 first end portion [0124] 111e2 second end portion [0125] 112 first side portion [0126] 112a side portion (first sidewall portion) [0127] 112b side portion (second sidewall portion) [0128] 112c side portion (third sidewall portion) [0129] 112aa inner side surface [0130] 112ab outer side surface [0131] 120 lid portion [0132] 121a third main surface [0133] 121b fourth main surface [0134] 121 second base portion [0135] 122 second side portion [0136] 122a side portion (fourth sidewall portion) [0137] 122b side portion (fifth sidewall portion) [0138] 122c side portion (sixth sidewall portion) [0139] 122ca inner side surface [0140] 122cb outer side surface [0141] 122aa inner side surface [0142] 122ab outer side surface [0143] 150 joint [0144] 151 joint portion [0145] 151a, 151b joint portion [0146] 152 overlap portion [0147] 1000 first fire spread prevention member [0148] 2000 second fire spread prevention member [0149] 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 2001, 2002 fire spread prevention member [0150] 200 indoor heat exchanger [0151] 240 temperature sensor [0152] 250 indoor fan [0153] 251 drive mechanism [0154] 260 casing [0155] 260b bottom plate [0156] 260l left side plate [0157] 260t top plate [0158] 260r right side plate [0159] 260f front plate [0160] 270 side portion [0161] 300 outdoor heat exchanger [0162] 310 compressor [0163] 320 four-way valve [0164] 330 pressure reducing device [0165] 340 temperature sensor [0166] 350 outdoor fan [0167] 360 casing