Title of Invention

A SPLIT AIR-CONDITIONER AND AN ASSEMBLING METHOD OF SPLIT AIRCONDITIONER

Abstract

The constitution has (a) an outdoor unit, and (b) an indoor unit including a wind circuit unit having an air suction port, a heat exchanger and blowing means, an air stream control unit having an air diffuser and air stream control means, and an electrical unit having an nlect control device and an electric circuit. At least one of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit is formed separably, and the one unit and the remaining units of the plurality of units are mutually assembled integrally to form the outdoor unit. The indoor unit composed of the wind circuit unit, air stream control unit, and electrical unit possesses a front surface having a continuous pattern. In this constitution, it is possible to obtain an indoor unit of an air conditioner having such effects as excellent appearance, small number of parts, enhanced ease of disassembling, excellent working efficiency in mounting, and excellent working efficiency in repair service. Moreover, In model changeover, by modifying the individual units of the wind circuit unit, air stream control unit and electrical unit according to the purpose, restyling is easier. Hence, expenses for making dies for producing the units are saved, so that the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Full Text

SEPARATE TYPE AIR CONDITIONER AND ASSEMBLING METHOD OF INDOOR UNIT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a split ai conditioner consisting of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit separate from each other. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An example of a conventional air conditioner is shown in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. 5-164355. A conventional separate type air conditioner is described below while referring to the drawings. A perspective view showing the constitution of an indoor unit of the conventional separate type air conditioner is shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, an indoor unit main body 21 includes a wind circuit unit 22 and an air stream control unit 23. The wind circuit unit 22 has a refrigeration cycle unit such as heat exchanger, a blowing fan and others. An electrical unit 24 is installed separately from the indoor unit main body 21. The electrical unit 24 is connected electrically to the indoor unit main body 21 through a connection unit 25 exposed ontside. In such conventional separate type air conditioner, the indoor unit main body 21 and electrical 1A unit 24 are mutually connected electrically through the connection unit 25 exposed outside. Accordingly, such conventional air conditioner is poor in outlook and appearance as the merchandise on the whole. Moreover, since the indoor unit main body 21 and electrical unit 24 are formed separately as independent parts through the connection unit 25, it takes time and labor to install the merchandise. Further, since additional members are necessary for mounting the indoor unit main body 21 and electrical unit 24, the number of steps for mounting and number of parts are increased. It is hence an object of the invention to present an indoor unit of an air conditioner having such effects as excellent appearance, small number of parts, enhanced ease of disassembling, excellent working efficiency in mounting, and excellent working efficiency in repair service. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A separate type air conditioner of the invention comprises (a) an outdoor unit, and (b) an indoor unit including a wind circuit unit having an air suction port, an air stream control unit having an air diffuser, and an electrical unit having an electric control device, in which at least one unit of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit is formed separably. 2 and the one unit and the remaining units of the plurality of units are mutually assembled integrally to form the indoor unit. An assembling method of split air conditioner of the invention comprises (a) a step of assembling an outdoor unit, and (b) a step of assembling an indoor unit consisting of the plurality of units, that is. a wind circuit unit having an air suction port, an air stream unit having an air diffuser, and an electrical unit having an electric control device, in which the indoor unit assembling step includes (1) a step of independently forming one of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit, (2) a step of forming other unit of the plurality of units, and (3) a step of assembling the indoor unit by mutually assembling integrally the one unit and the other unit. In this constitution, it is possible to obtain an indoor unit of an air conditioner having such effects as excellent appearance, small number of parts, enhanced ease of disassembling, excellent working efficiency in mounting, and excellent working efficiency in repair service. Moreover, without sacrificing the outlook of the merchandise on the whole, these excellent effects are obtained. In model changeover, by modifying the individual units of the wind circuit unit, air stream control unit and 3 electrical unit according to the purpose, restyling is easier. Hence, expenses for making dies for producing the units are saved, so that the manufacturing cost is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Fig. I (a) and Fig. 1 (b) are appearance drawings showing the constitution of the indoor unit of Splite air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention, in which Fig. 1 (a) shows a separate state of the units, and Fig. 1 (b) shows an assembled state of the units. Fig. 2 (a) and Fig. 2 (b) are appearance drawings showing the constitution of the indoor unit of split air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention, in which Fig. 2 (a) shows a separate state of the units, and Fig. 2 (b) shows an assembled state of the units. Fig. 3 (a) and Fig. 3 (b) are appearance drawings showing the constitution of the indoor unit of split air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention, in which Fig. 3 (a) shows a separate state of the units, and Fig. 3 (b) shows an assembled state of the units. Fig. 4 is an appearance drawing showing the constitution of a split air condition in an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is a process drawing showing the assembling method of split air conditioner in an embodiment of 4 the invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the constitution of the indoor unit of a conventional separate type air conditioner. REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Indoor unit main body 2 Wind circuit unit 2a Air suction port 3 Air stream control unit 3a Vertical blade (air stream control means) 3b Lateral blade (air stream control means) 3c Air diffuser 4 Electrical unit 30 Outdoor unit 31 External piping DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A split air conditioner of the invention comprises (a) an outdoor unit, and (b) an indoor unit including a wind circuit unit having an air suction port, an air stream control unit having an air diffuser, and an electrical unit having an electric control device, in which at least one of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit is formed separably. 5 and the one unit and the remaining units of the plurality of units are mutually assembled integrally to form the indoor unit. An assembling method of split air conditioner of the invention comprises (a) a step of assembling an outdoor unit, and (b) a step of assembling an indoor unit consisting of the plurality of units, that is, a wind circuit unit having an air suction port, an air stream unit having an air diffuser, and an electrical unit having an electric control device, in which the indoor unit assembling step includes (1) a step of independently forming one of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit, (2) a step of forming other unit of the plurality of units, and (3) a step of assembling the indoor unit by mutually assembling integrally the one unit and the other unit. Preferably, the wind circuit unit has a heat exchanger and blowing means, the air stream control unit has air stream control means, and the electrical unit has an electric circuit. Preferably, the indoor unit composed of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit has a front surface with a continuous pattern. Preferably, the assembled indoor unit has a nearly 6 rectangular parallelepiped shape. Preferably, one surface of each one of the air circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit is positioned at the front side of the indoor unit. Preferably, each part of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit is mutually formed separably, and the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit are mutually assembled integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form the indoor unit. Preferably, the wind circuit unit and the air stream control unit integrally form an inseparable first part, the first part and the electrical unit are mutually assembled integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form the indoor unit. Preferably, the wind circuit unit and the electrical unit integrally form an inseparable second part, the second part and the air stream control unit are mutually assembled integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form the indoor unit. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below. Exemplary embodiment 1 The appearance of the split air conditioner in 7 an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1 (a), Fig. 1 (b), and Fig. 4, and Fig. 1 (a) shows a separate state of the units, and Fig. 1 (b) shows an assembled state of the units. A process drawing showing an assembling method of split air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 5. The split air conditioner comprises an outdoor unit 30 installed outdoors, and an indoor unit 1 installed indoors. The outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 1 are connected through an external piping 31. The indoor unit 1 includes a refrigeration cycle unit (not shown) , a wind circuit unit 2, an air stream control unit 3, and an electrical unit 4. The refrigeration cycle unit includes a heat exchanger (not shown) and a piping (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant. The wind circuit unit 2 includes blowing means (not shown) such as blower, and an air suction port 2a. The air stream control unit 3 includes air stream control means such as a vertical blade 3a and a lateral blade 3b, and an air diffuser 3c. The electrical unit 4 has an electric circuit and an electric control device. The wind circuit unit 2 may also contain the refrigeration cycle. The wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3 and electrical unit 4 are mutually separable. That is, these three units are formed independently from each other. Each 8 one of these three units has a nearly rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in Fig. 1 (a) , the upper surface of the air stream control unit 3 is combined with the lower surface of the wind circuit unit 2. The left side of the electrical unit 4 is combined with the right side of the wind circuit unit 2 and air stream control unit 3. In this case, the indoor unit 1 composed of the wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4 possesses a front surface having a continuous pattern. Further, the assembled indoor unit 1 has a nearly-rectangular parallelepiped shape. Moreover, one surface of each one of the wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4 is-positioned at the front side of the indoor unit. Thus, the indoor unit 1 is assembled. Each unit is assembled by connecting the fitting means such as fitting pawl provided in each unit. Each unit is mutually assembled by using mounting jig such as screw. The assembled indoor unit 1 can be detachably mounted on the room wall. In this constitution, by manipulating the electrical unit 4, the electric control device is put in action, and the outdoor unit 30 and indoor unit 1 are driven, and the refrigeration cycle operates. The indoor air is sucked into the wind circuit unit 2 from the air suction port 2a. 9 The air is cooled or heated by the heat exchanger, and converted to a specified temperature. The air converted to the specified temperature is blown out in a specified direction in the room from the air diffuser 3c of the air stream control unit 3 by the action of the air stream control means such as vertical blade 3a or lateral blade 3b, Thus, the air in the room is conditioned. Exemplary embodiment 2 The appearance of the split air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2 (a) Fig. 2 (b) , and Fig. 4, and Fig. 2 (a) shows a separate state of- the units, and Fig. 2 (b) shows an assembled state of. the units. A process drawing showing an assembling method of split air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 5. The split air conditioner comprises an outdoor unit 30 installed outdoors, and an indoor unit 1 installed indoors. The outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 1 are connected through an external piping 31. The indoor unit 1 includes a refrigeration cycle unit (not shown), a wind circuit unit 2, an air stream control unit 3, and an electrical unit 4. The refrigeration cycle unit includes a heat exchanger (not shown) and a piping (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant. The wind circuit unit 2 includes blowing 10 means (not shown) such as blower, and an air suction port 2a. The air stream control unit 3 includes air stream control means such as a vertical blade 3a and a lateral blade 3b, and an air diffuser 3c. The electrical unit 4 has an electric circuit and an electric control device. The wind circuit unit 2 may also contain the refrigeration cycle. The wind circuit unit 2 and air stream control unit 3 integrally form an inseparable first part - The electrical unit 4 is formed independently. That is, the wind circuit unit 2 and air stream control unit 3 are formed integrally. And the electrical unit 4 is formed independently. As shown in Fig. 2 (a), the left side of the electrical unit 4 is combined with the right side of the integrally formed air stream control unit 3 and wind circuit unit 2. In this case, the indoor unit 1 composed of the wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4 possesses a front surface having a continuous pattern. Further, the assembled indoor unit 1 has a nearly rectangular parallelepiped shape. Moreover, one surface of each one of the wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4 is positioned at the front side of the indoor unit. Thus, the indoor unit 1 is assembled. Each unit is assembled by connecting the fitting means such as fitting pawl provided in each unit. Each unit is 11 mutually assembled by using mounting jig such as screw. The assembled indoor unit 1 can be detachably mounted on the room wall. Exemplary embodiment 3 The appearance of the split air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 3 (a) Fig. 3 (b), and Fig. 4, and Fig. 3 (a) shows a separate state of the units, and Fig. 3 (b) shows an assembled state of the units. A process drawing showing an assembling method of split air conditioner in an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 5. The separate type air conditioner comprises an outdoor unit 30 installed outdoors, and an indoor unit 1 installed indoors. The outdoor unit 30 and the indoor unit 1 are connected through an external piping 31. The indoor unit 1 includes a refrigeration cycle unit (not shown), a wind circuit unit 2, an air stream control unit 3, and an electrical unit 4. The refrigeration cycle unit includes a heat exchanger (not shown) and a piping (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant. The wind circuit unit 2 includes blowing means (not shown) such as blower, and an air suction port 2a. The air stream control unit 3 includes air stream control means such as a vertical blade a and a lateral blade 3b, and an air diffuser 3c. The electrical unit 4 12 has an electric circuit and an electric control device. The wind circuit unit 2 may also contain the refrigeration cycle. The wind circuit unit 2 and electrical unit 4 integrally form an inseparable second part. The air stream control unit 3 is formed independently. That is, the wind circuit unit 2 and electrical unit 4 are formed integrally. And the air stream control unit 3 is formed independently. As shown in Fig. 3 (a), the right side and upper side of the air stream control unit 3 are combined with the left side and lower side of the integrally formed electrical part 4 and wind circuit unit 2. In this case, the indoor unit 1 composed of the wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4 possesses a front surface having a continuous pattern. Further, the assembled indoor unit 1 has a nearly rectangular parallelepiped shape. Moreover, one surface of each one of the wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4 is positioned at the front side of the indoor unit. Thus, the indoor unit 1 is assembled. Each unit is assembled by connecting the fitting means such as fitting pawl provided in each unit. Each unit is mutually assembled by using mounting jig such as screw. The assembled indoor unit 1 can be detachably mounted on the room wall. 13 In the foregoing embodiment 1 to embodiment 3, the shape of the indoor unit 2 is nearly rectangular parallelepiped, but not limited to this shape, it may be formed in any desired front shape such as circular, elliptical or polygonal shape. The indoor unit 1 has three units, that is, the wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4, but not limited to such constitution, for example, the indoor unit 1 may be divided into three or more parts, and each separated part may be assembled to compose the indoor unit. Moreover, each unit of the separated wind circuit unit 2, air stream control unit 3, and electrical unit 4 has a nearly rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of each divided part is not limited to this shape alone, and it may be formed in any desired front shape such as circular, elliptical or polygonal shape, and the shape of these engaging parts is preferred to coincide with each other. In this constitution, it is possible to obtain an indoor unit of an air conditioner having such effects as excellent appearance, small number of parts, enhanced ease of disassembling, excellent working efficiency in mounting, and excellent working efficiency in repair service. Moreover, without sacrificing the outlook of the merchandise on the whole, these excellent effects are obtained. In model changeover, by modifying the individual 14 units of the wind circuit unit, air stream control unit and electrical unit according to the purpose, restyling is easier. Hence, expenses for making dies for producing the units are saved, so that the manufacturing cost is reduced. 15 WE CLAIM: 1. A split air conditioner comprising: a) an outdoor unit (30), and b) an indoor unit (1) including a wind circuit unit (2) having an air suction port (2a), an air stream control unit (3) having an air diffuser (3c) and an electrical unit (4) having an electric control device. wherein at least one unit of said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit and said electrical unit is formed separably, and said one unit and the remaining units of said plurality of units are mutually assembled integrally to form said indoor unit. 2. A split air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wind circuit unit has a heat exchanger and blowing means, said air stream control unit has air stream control means (3a, 3b) and said electrical unit has an electric circuit. 3. A split air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indoor unit comprises said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit and said electrical unit having a front surface with a continuous pattern. 4. A split air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said assembled indoor unit has a nearly rectangular parallelepiped shape. -16- 5. A split air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said assembled indoor unit has a nearly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and one surface of each one of said air circuit unit, said air stream control unit, and said electrical unit is positioned at the front side of said indoor unit. 6. A split air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein each unit of said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit and said electrical unit is mutually formed separably, and said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit and said electrical unit are mutually assembled integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form said indoor unit. 7. A split air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wind circuit unit and said air stream control unit integrally form an inseparable first part, and said first part and said electrical unit are mutually assembled integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form said indoor unit. 8. A split air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wind circuit unit and said electrical unit integrally form an inseparable second part, and -17- said second part and said air stream control unit are mutually assembled integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form said indoor unit. 9. An assembling method of split air conditioner comprising the steps of: (a) assembling an outdoor unit (30), and (b) assembling an indoor unit (1) including, a wind circuit unit (2) having an air suction port (2a), an air stream unit (3) having an air diffuser (3c), and an electrical unit (4) having an electric control device, wherein said step of assembling the indoor unit (1) comprising the steps of : (1) forming separably at least one unit of said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit and said electrical unit, (2) forming the remaining units of said plurality of units, and (3) mutually assembling integrally said one unit and said remaining units. 10. An assembling method of split air conditioner as claimed in claim 9, wherein said wind circuit unit has a heat exchanger and blowing means, said air stream control unit has air stream control means (3a, 3b) and said electrical unit has an electric circuit. -18- 11. An assembling method of split air conditioner as claimed in claim 9, wherein said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit and said electrical unit are assembled so as to form said indoor unit having a front surface with a continuous pattern. 12. An assembling method of split air conditioner as claimed in claim 9, wherein said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit and said electrical unit are assembled so as to form said indoor unit having a nearly rectangular parallelepiped shape. 13. An assembling method of split air conditioner as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step (1) and said step (2) are steps of forming said wind circuit unit, said air stream control unit, and said electrical unit independently from each other, and said step (3) is a step of assembling said independently formed wind circuit unit, air stream control unit and electrical unit integrally with each other by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form said indoor unit. 14. An assembling method of split air conditioner as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step (1) is a step of forming said electrical unit independently, said step (2) is a step of forming said wind circuit unit and said air stream control unit integrally into an inseparable first part, and said step (3) is a step of mutually assembling said first part and said electrical unit integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form said indoor unit. -19- 15. An assembling method of split air conditioner as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step (1) is a step of forming air stream control unit (3) independently, said step (2) is a step of forming said wind circuit unit and said electrical unit integrally into an inseparable second part, and said step (3) is a step of mutually assembling said second part and said air stream control unit integrally by at least one of fitting means and mounting jig to form said indoor unit. Dated this 24th day of NOVEMBER 1998. -20- The constitution has (a) an outdoor unit, and (b) an indoor unit including a wind circuit unit having an air suction port, a heat exchanger and blowing means, an air stream control unit having an air diffuser and air stream control means, and an electrical unit having an nlect control device and an electric circuit. At least one of the wind circuit unit, the air stream control unit, and the electrical unit is formed separably, and the one unit and the remaining units of the plurality of units are mutually assembled integrally to form the outdoor unit. The indoor unit composed of the wind circuit unit, air stream control unit, and electrical unit possesses a front surface having a continuous pattern. In this constitution, it is possible to obtain an indoor unit of an air conditioner having such effects as excellent appearance, small number of parts, enhanced ease of disassembling, excellent working efficiency in mounting, and excellent working efficiency in repair service. Moreover, In model changeover, by modifying the individual units of the wind circuit unit, air stream control unit and electrical unit according to the purpose, restyling is easier. Hence, expenses for making dies for producing the units are saved, so that the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Documents:

02072-cal-1998 abstract.pdf

02072-cal-1998 claims.pdf

02072-cal-1998 correspondence.pdf

02072-cal-1998 description(complete).pdf

02072-cal-1998 drawings.pdf

02072-cal-1998 form-1.pdf

02072-cal-1998 form-2.pdf

02072-cal-1998 form-3.pdf

02072-cal-1998 form-5.pdf

02072-cal-1998 g.p.a.pdf

02072-cal-1998 priority document others.pdf

02072-cal-1998 priority document.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-abstract.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-claims.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-correspondence.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-description (complete).pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-drawings.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-examination report.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-form 1.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-form 2.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-form 3.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-form 5.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-gpa.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-letter patent.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-priority document.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

2072-cal-1998-granted-specification.pdf