DESCRIPTION

AIR CONDITIONER

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner having an electronic unit mounted therein.

Background Art

[0002] In a substantial number of conventional air conditioners, a narrow, high and deep electronic unit is accommodated in a space laterally of a heat exchanger and a fan within a main body of an indoor unit. A downsized electronic unit has been proposed wherein an electronic substrate having various electronic component parts mounted thereon is disposed vertically (see Patent Literature 1).

[0003] Another configuration has been also proposed wherein indoor electronic component parts (electronic unit) are disposed on a rear side of an indoor unit chassis or between a front surface of an indoor heat exchanger and a decorative cover and fixed to the heat exchanger (see Patent Literature 2).

Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP 2008-82687 A Patent Literature 2: JP 8-135998 A

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in a state where the electronic unit is disposed on the side of the main body, the space in which the electronic unit is accommodated cannot be utilized. Accordingly, a horizontal wind direction control capability cannot be enhanced by increasing the width of a discharge opening of a wind circuit.

[0006] Also, in the configuration in which the indoor electronic component parts are disposed between the front surface of the indoor heat exchanger and the decorative cover and fixed to the heat exchanger, because the indoor electronic component parts are directly fixed to the heat exchanger, the indoor electronic component parts are cooled by heat transfer and, hence, dew condensation may occur on the indoor electronic component parts.

[0007] The present invention has been developed to solve the conventional problems referred to above and is intended to provide an air conditioner capable of utilizing a space on the side of a main body and restraining dew condensation on an electronic unit.

Means to Solving the Issue

[0008] In accomplishing the above objective, an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a front portion and a top portion both forming a shell of a main body of the indoor unit, a fan disposed within the main body, a heat exchanger disposed upstream of the fan, a filter disposed upstream of the heat exchanger, a discharge opening for blowing out air, an electronic unit, and a corner portion delimited by the front portion, the top portion and the filter. The electronic unit is disposed within the corner portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the electronic unit is disposed within the corner portion that is delimited by the front portion and the top portion, both forming the shell of the main body, and by the filter. This configuration can utilize a space on the side of the main body and restrain dew condensation on the electronic unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] The above aspect and features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner embodying the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit taken along a line A-A in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit taken along a line B-B in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of an electronic unit as viewed from the front;
Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic unit taken along a line C-C in Fig. 4(a);
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the electronic unit of Fig. 4(a) as viewed from the back;
Fig. 6 is a wind speed distribution chart of a wind circuit around the electronic unit;
Fig. 7 is a wind speed distribution chart of a wind circuit in a commonly-used air conditioner;
Fig. 8 is a view depicting shapes of vertical wind direction changing blades; and
Fig. 9 is a view depicting a shape of side walls of the indoor unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A first invention is directed to an air conditioner comprising: a front portion and a top portion both forming a shell of a main body of an indoor unit; a fan disposed within the main body; a heat exchanger disposed upstream of the fan; a filter disposed upstream of the heat exchanger; a discharge opening for blowing out air; an electronic unit; and a corner portion delimited by the front portion, the top portion and the filter; wherein the electronic unit is disposed within the corner portion. This configuration can utilize a space on the side of the main body and restrain dew condensation on the electronic unit.

[0012] A second invention is directed to the air conditioner of the first invention, wherein the top portion has a suction opening defined therein to draw air outside the main body and the fan introduces air drawn from the suction opening to the heat exchanger through the corner portion. Because the electronic unit is positioned above the heat exchanger, defrosting water can be restrained from dripping onto the electronic unit and cooling of the electronic unit by air from outside can be promoted.

[0013] A third invention is directed to the air conditioner of the first invention, wherein of a wind speed distribution created by the fan within the main body, a wind speed in the corner portion is lowest. Because the electronic unit is disposed at a position where the wind speed of air to be heat-exchanged is lowest, a reduction in heat exchanging efficiency can be restrained.

[0014] A forth invention is directed to the air conditioner of the first invention, wherein the corner portion is positioned farthest away from the fan within the main body, thereby making it possible to reduce resonance of the electronic unit and also reduce failure of electronic component parts that may be caused by vibration.

[0015] A fifth invention is directed to the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the forth invention, wherein the electronic unit comprises an electronic substrate-holding member to hold an electronic substrate having various electronic component parts mounted thereon, and the electronic substrate-holding member is disposed so as to confront the filter, thereby making it possible to form a wind circuit having a small airflow resistance between the electronic unit and the heat exchanger.

[0016] A sixth invention is directed to the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the fifth invention, wherein the electronic unit is horizontally long in the corner portion and a distance between the electronic unit and the heat exchanger is 20% or more of a vertical width of the electronic unit. By this configuration, the electronic unit can be installed by making use of a dead space and, also, because the wind passes between the electronic unit and the heat exchanger, dew condensation on the electronic unit can be prevented.

[0017] A seventh invention is directed to the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the sixth invention, wherein the electronic unit is disposed at a location apart upwardly from a lower end of suction openings defined in the filter by 50 mm or more. This configuration can prevent dew condensation on the electronic unit and reduce an adverse effect of the electronic unit on the wind speed. Further, a suction resistance can be reduced to thereby avoid production of abnormal noise.

[0018] An eighth invention is directed to the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the seventh invention, wherein the electronic unit is disposed so as to extend substantially parallel to the heat exchanger or the filter. This configuration can prevent dew condensation on the electronic unit and compactly accommodate the electronic unit within the indoor unit.

[0019] A ninth invention is directed to the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the eighth invention, wherein the electronic unit is disposed above a rotary shaft of the fan, thereby making it possible to prevent dew condensation on the electronic unit and further reduce effects of the electronic unit on the wind speed.

[0020] A tenth invention is directed to the air conditioner of the ninth invention, wherein the electronic unit is disposed above an upper end of the fan, thereby making it possible to prevent dew condensation on the electronic unit and reduce effects of the electronic unit on the wind speed.

[0021] An eleventh invention is directed to the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the tenth invention, wherein the electronic unit is fixed to a filter frame for mounting the filter on the main body, a side surface of the main body, or a frame which is a base of the main body. This configuration can prevent heat transfer from the heat exchanger to the electronic unit to thereby prevent dew condensation on the electronic unit.

[0022] A twelfth invention is directed to the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the eleventh invention, further comprising a front panel for opening and closing a front opening defined in the main body and a drive arm for opening and closing the front panel, wherein a drive center position of the drive arm is located above a front surface of the electronic unit. By this configuration, a drive mechanism of the front panel can be installed by making use of a dead space.

[0023] Before starting the description of the present invention, like parts are designated by like reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments.

[0024] (Embodiments)

An air conditioner for use in a standard home includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected to each other via refrigerant piping. Fig. 1 depicts an indoor unit of an air conditioner embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit taken along a line A-A in Fig. 1.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, the indoor unit includes a main body 2 and a movable front panel (hereinafter referred to simply as a "front panel") 4 to open and close a front opening 9a of openings 9 (the front opening 9a and an upper opening 9b) defined in the main body 2. When the air conditioner is not in operation, the front panel 4 is held in close contact with the main body 2 to close the front opening 9a. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is brought into operation, as shown in Fig. 2, the front panel 4 moves away from the main body 2 to open the front opening 9a.
[0026] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit taken along a line B-B in Fig. 1 and depicts a state where the front opening 9a has been closed by the front panel 4. As shown in Fig. 3, a front portion forming a shell of the main body 2 is made up of the front panel 4 and a top portion similarly forming the shell of the main body 2 is made up of a top panel 80. The top panel 80 has a suction opening 80a (not shown) defined therein that is an opening to draw air that has circulated in a room into the main body 2.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the main body 2 accommodates therein an indoor heat exchanger 6 connected to a compressor (not shown) in an outdoor unit (not shown) via piping and a fan 8 for blowing out indoor air drawn from the front opening 9a and the upper opening 9b into the room upon heat exchange in the heat exchanger 6. The fan 8 in this embodiment is a cross-flow fan. Also, in the vicinity of the discharge opening 10, vertical wind direction changing blades (hereinafter referred to simply as "vertically movable blades") 12 for opening and closing a discharge opening 10, through which heat-exchanged air is blown out into the room, and vertically changing the air-discharge direction and horizontal wind direction changing blades (hereinafter referred to simply as "horizontally movable blades") 14 for horizontally changing the air-discharge direction are provided.

[0028] Also, a filter 16 for removing dust contained in indoor air drawn through the openings 9 is interposed between the openings 9 and the heat exchanger 6. The filter 16 is mounted on a filter frame 3. The filter frame 3 is intended to mount the filter 16 on the main body 2. A display unit 41 is provided on a front side of a lower portion of the filter 16 (on an upper side of the discharge opening 10).

[0029] An electronic unit 1 mounted in the main body 2 of the indoor unit accommodates therein electronic component parts associated with operation of the indoor unit. A construction of the electronic unit 1 is explained with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Fig. 4(a) depicts the electronic unit 1 as viewed obliquely from the front and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 5 depicts the electronic unit 1 as viewed from the back with the electronic unit 1 rotated horizontally by 180 degrees.

[0030] The electronic unit 1 in this embodiment includes a base substrate 1f, an electronic substrate 1a mounted on the base substrate 1f on a right half side thereof and having various electronic component parts mounted thereon, and a power-supply box 1b mounted on the base substrate 1f on the right half side thereof to accommodate the electronic substrate 1a therein. As shown in Fig. 1, the base substrate 1f is disposed horizontally across almost the full inner width of the main body 2 (so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2). The electronic unit 1 includes a mechanical drive unit 42b mounted on a left side thereof to open and close the front panel 4. The electronic unit 1 also includes a forced-operating switch 44 mounted on a left end portion thereof. The electronic unit 1 has a hole 1c defined therein between the power-supply box 1b and the mechanical drive unit 42b. The hole 1c and the power-supply box 1b are formed side by side on the base substrate 1f. A reinforcement work has been conducted around the hole 1c.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, the heat exchanger 6 includes a front side heat exchanger 6b having an inclined surface 6a and a rear side heat exchanger 6c and is formed by combining them in the form of an inverted V above the fan 8. The front side heat exchanger 6b is disposed in front of a rotary shaft 8c of the fan 8 that extends horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2.

[0032] In this embodiment, the power-supply box 1 b is formed so as to have a longitudinal width equal to about half of a longitudinal length of the front side heat exchanger 6b. As shown in Fig. 1, the hole 1c and the mechanical drive unit 42b for operating functional component parts are disposed within the longitudinal width of the electronic unit 1 except for the power-supply box 1b.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, the front side heat exchanger 6b is formed by being bent in cross-section so as to protrude towards the front side of the main body 2. A lower end of the front side heat exchanger 6b is positioned below a lower end of the fan 8. As shown in Fig. 2, the inclined surface 6a having a given angle of inclination is formed at an upper portion of the front side heat exchanger 6b.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, the filter 16 is disposed so as to cover the outside of the heat exchanger 6 to restrain, for example, dust contained in indoor air from adhering to the heat exchanger 6. Specifically, the filter 16 is disposed so as to encircle the heat exchanger 6 along the inclined surface 6a of the front side heat exchanger 6b from upside which is windward side (upstream side) of the front side heat exchanger 6b and the rear side heat exchanger 6c. That is, the filter 16 is disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 6 so as to encircle the heat exchanger 6. Also, an inclined surface 16a is formed on the filter 16 and has an angle of inclination nearly equal to that of the inclined surface 6a of the heat exchanger 6.

[0035] The fan 8 and the heat exchanger 6 are directly fixed to a frame 5 that is a base of the main body 2. As shown in Fig. 3, when the indoor unit is not in operation, because the front opening 9a is closed by the front panel 4 and the vertically movable blades 12 are also closed, the front panel 4, the top panel 80 and the frame 5 form the shell of the main body 2. In this event, the interior of the main body 2 is in a substantially closed state.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, a corner portion 81 within the main body 2 is a region delimited by the front panel 4, the top panel 80 and the filter 16. The corner portion 81 is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 within an internal space of the main body 2.

[0037] The electronic unit 1 is disposed within the corner portion 81, in particular, in the vicinity of a crossover site where the front panel 4 and the top panel 80 cross. As described above, the filter 16 forming the corner portion 81 is disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 6 so as to encircle the heat exchanger 6 and, hence, the electronic unit 1 disposed within the corner portion 81 is also positioned on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 6.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, when the indoor unit is brought into operation, the corner portion 81 turns into a portion of a wind circuit that sucks air that has circulated in the room for heat exchange in the front side heat exchanger 6b.

[0039] Rotation of the fan 8 sucks air from the suction opening 80a and the air so sucked passes through the corner portion 81. Having passed through the corner portion 81, the air is introduced into the front side heat exchanger 6b through the filter 16 for heat exchange. The heat-exchanged air is subsequently discharged from the discharge opening 10.

[0040] When the air sucked from the aforementioned suction opening 80a impinges on the electronic unit 1 disposed within the corner portion 81, the air passes through the hole 1c. As shown in Fig. 2, the power-supply box 1b is positioned in front of the front side heat exchanger 6b, but the heat exchanging efficiency can be restrained from reducing due to an airflow resistance of the electronic unit 1 by forming the hole 1c next to the power-supply box 1b. As just described, the hole 1c is intended to effectively utilize suction openings in the filter 16 (openings defined in the filter 16 to suck air therethrough) during operation.

[0041] Also, because the electronic unit 1 is positioned above the front side heat exchanger 6b, defrosting water is restrained from dripping onto the electronic unit 1. Also, cooling of the electronic unit 1 by air from outside is promoted.

[0042] The corner portion 81 extending in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 is formed above the fan 8 and the electronic unit 1 is formed in the corner portion 81 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Also, the electronic unit 1 is disposed so as to extend substantially parallel to the heat exchanger 6 or the filter 16.

[0043] This configuration can avoid dew condensation and make the electronic unit 1 compact within the indoor unit.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2, the electronic unit 1 is disposed so as to have an angle of inclination nearly equal to that of the inclined surface 16a of the filter 16 with an electronic substrate-holding member 1g confronting the filter 16 (inclined and extending horizontally).

[0045] This configuration can create a wind circuit having a small airflow resistance between the electronic unit 1 and the front side heat exchanger 6b.

[0046] As shown in, for example, Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), the base substrate 1f of the electronic unit 1 accommodates the resinous electronic substrate-holding member 1g fixed therein. The electronic substrate-holding member 1g is a bottom plate of the power-supply box 1 b to hold a rear surface of the electronic substrate 1a. The metallic base substrate 1f and the power-supply box 1b accommodate the electronic substrate 1a therein in a hermetically sealed state, thereby forming the electronic unit 1.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4(b), the electronic substrate-holding member 1g for holding the electronic substrate 1a has a side wall and an outer side wall formed on the outer side of the side wall. By this configuration, the electronic substrate-holding member 1g is of a double-walled structure. The base substrate 1f is inserted into the double-walled structure of the electronic substrate-holding member 1g from below.

[0048] A lid member 1 h forming the power-supply box 1 b is provided with a flange portion that engages with the electronic substrate-holding member 1g. The flange portion is of a double structure having an inner flange portion 1k and an outer flange portion 1 m. The flange portion engages with the electronic substrate-holding member 1g to cover the electronic substrate-holding member 1g from the outside so that a slight gap formed between the flange portion and the side walls of the electronic substrate-holding member 1g may be in the form of a trapped shape.

[0049] The configuration referred to above can prevent foreign substances from entering the electronic unit 2 having the electronic substrate 1a accommodated therein.

[0050] The use of the metallic base substrate 1f leads to a non-combustible structure. Also, an insulated structure can be formed by allowing the electronic unit 1a to be accommodated within the resinous electronic substrate-holding member 1g. Even if the main body 2 falls during transportation, damage to the electronic substrate 1a within the electronic unit 1 can be avoided.

[0051] Also, as shown in Fig. 2 and Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), a cross-section of the lid portion of the power-supply box 1b is formed into a trapezoidal shape, thereby making it possible to reduce the height of a front edge portion of the top panel 80. Further, because the length of the indoor unit from a wall surface can be reduced by restricting the forwardly-protruding length of the front panel 4, the electronic unit 1 can be made compact.

[0052] The above-described configuration of the electronic unit 1 can increase the width of the wind circuit within the main body 2 and that of the discharge opening 10.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 2, the electronic unit 1 is disposed to be horizontally long at a location away from the inclined surface 6a of the heat exchanger 6 by a distance D1 greater than or equal to 20 mm. The distance D1 is a distance measured perpendicularly from the inclined surface 6a of the heat exchanger 6 towards the electronic unit 1 and a shortest distance from the heat exchanger 6 to the electronic unit 1. In this embodiment, a vertical width D2 of the electronic unit 1 (width of a short side of the base substrate 1f) is 100 mm. That is, the distance D1 from the heat exchanger 6 to the electronic unit 1 is 20% of the vertical width D2 of the electronic unit 1. When the indoor unit is in operation with the electronic unit 1 arranged in this way, a state of a wind flowing around the electronic unit 1 (wind speed distribution) is shown in Fig. 6.

[0054] In Fig. 6, a wind current is indicated by arrows and the magnitude of the wind (wind speed) and the direction of the wind (wind direction) are indicated by the length and the angle of each arrow, respectively. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the wind flows over the entire vertical width of the electronic unit 1 even on the rear side of the electronic unit 1 (between the electronic unit 1 and the heat exchanger 6). That is, the electronic unit 1 is disposed such that the distance D1 between the electronic unit 1 and the heat exchanger 6 is 20% or more of the vertical width of the electronic unit 1, thereby allowing the wind to flow through the entire area on the rear side of the electronic unit 1. Such a wind current can effectively avoid dew condensation on the electronic unit 1. Also, a space provided by the distance D1 between the electronic unit 1 and the heat exchanger 6 can ensure the workability required for mounting and dismounting the filter 16.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 2, the electronic unit 1 is disposed at a location apart upwardly from a lower end of the suction openings in the filter 16 by a distance D3 greater than or equal to 50 mm, thereby making it possible to ensure an amount of wind passing through an upper end portion of a stabilizer 32. This can reduce a suction resistance to avoid production of abnormal noise.

[0056] The electronic unit 1 is disposed above the rotary shaft 8c of the fan 8 (disposed above a center position 8a which is a vertical position passing through the rotary shaft 8c), thereby making it possible to minimize an adverse effect of the electronic unit 1 on the wind performance of the fan 8. The rotary shaft 8c and the center position 8a are each located at a vertical center of the fan 8 within the wind circuit.

[0057] Here, an ordinary wind speed distribution of an air conditioner is shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, a portion above a front surface of the heat exchanger 6 is low in wind speed, compared with other portions, and is accordingly a stable region. On the other hand, portions around the fan 8, around the discharge opening 10, on the rear side of the indoor unit 2, and below a front surface of the indoor unit 2 are high in wind speed. The electronic unit 1 is provided within the corner portion 81 positioned at an upper front portion of the indoor unit and this means that the electronic unit 1 is disposed in a stable region in terms of wind speed distribution created by the fan 8, thus making it possible to reduce the adverse effect of the electronic unit 1 on the wind performance of the fan 8.

[0058] Also, the electronic unit 1 in the corner portion 81 is disposed above an upper end portion (upper portion 8b of an outer circumference) of the fan 8 within the wind circuit and this means that the electronic unit 1 is disposed in a region that is particularly low in wind speed in the wind speed distribution created by the fan 8, thus making it possible to further reduce the adverse effect of the electronic unit 1 on the wind performance of the fan 8. This can avoid a reduction in heat exchanging efficiency of the front side heat exchanger 6b.

[0059] The fan 8 or a fan drive motor (not shown) for rotating the fan 8 generates vibration during rotation or operation thereof. Such vibration may be transferred to, for example, other functional component parts to resonate them. In particular, if an electronic component part or the like resonates, it is likely that an electronic substrate 1a provided therein may cause short circuit, which in turn causes malfunction.

[0060] Accordingly, the disposition of the electronic unit 1 within the corner portion 81 farthest away from the fan 8 in the main body 2 can reduce vibration from the fan 8 and the fan drive motor, thus making it possible to provide a highly reliable air conditioner.

[0061] The disposition of the electronic unit 1 in the above-described manner can reduce the adverse effect of the electronic unit 1 on the wind performance and, at the same time, avoid dew condensation on the electronic unit 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, the cross-section of the electronic unit 1 is formed not into a rectangle shape but into a trapezoidal shape by cutting a portion thereof, thereby making it possible to compactly accommodate the electronic unit 1 within the main body 2 of the indoor unit.

[0062] In order to open and close the front panel 4 in the manner as set forth in this embodiment, a drive center position (drive shaft 42a) of a drive arm 42 for automatically opening and closing the front panel is located above a front surface of the electronic unit 1. By making use of a dead space, an outline of the indoor unit is maintained to thereby ensure a good design. In this case, it is sufficient if the drive shaft 42a is located at least below an upper end surface of the indoor unit and on the inner side of the outline of a front surface of the indoor unit.

[0063] Also, in the air conditioner according to this embodiment, the front panel 4 is opened and closed by the drive arm 42. This configuration allows the wind to reach an entire area around the electronic unit 1 and can avoid dew condensation on the electronic unit 1. Further, when the front panel 4 moves forward from the main body 2, the front opening 9a is formed between the front panel 4 and the front side heat exchanger 6b and, hence, when the fan 8 is in operation, air can be introduced into the front side heat exchanger 6b while being guided by the front panel 4. Accordingly, even if the electronic unit 1 creates an airflow resistance, air is introduced into a space between the electronic unit 1 and the front side heat exchanger 6b (portion corresponding to the distance D1), thereby making it possible to restrain a reduction in heat exchanging efficiency of the heat exchanger 6.

[0064] A fixed geometry of the electronic unit 1 is explained hereinafter.

[0065] The fan 8, the heat exchanger 6 and an automatic filter cleaning unit 3 are directly fixed to the frame 5. The automatic filter cleaning unit 3 is intended to automatically clean the filter 16. As shown in Fig. 3, the electronic unit 1 is fixed to a filter frame 3a that forms a framework of the automatic filter cleaning unit 3.

[0066] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, of opposite end portions of the electronic unit 1, a right side end portion of the base substrate 1f has a hook 1d formed therewith and a left side end portion of the base substrate 1f has a claw 1e similarly formed therewith. The electronic unit 1 is fixed to the filter frame 3a by engaging the hook 1d and the claw 1e with respective sides of the filter frame 3a.

[0067] Also, as shown in Fig. 1, a terminal plate 43 for use in performing a wiring work to connect the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is installed on a right side of the electronic unit 1. A left side of the terminal plate 43 is engaged with and fixed to a claw (not shown) provided on a right side of the electronic unit 1. A right side of the terminal plate 43 is screwed to a component part (not shown) fixed to the frame 5.

[0068] As just described, the electronic unit 1 is fixed to the filter frame 3a separately from the heat exchanger 6 and, hence, no heat is transferred from the heat exchanger 6, thus making it possible to avoid dew condensation on the electronic unit 1. The electronic unit 1 may be fixed to a side surface of the main body 2 or the frame 5 other than the filter frame 3a as in this embodiment, because similar effects can be obtained unless the electronic unit 1 is fixed to the heat exchanger 6.

[0069] A configuration of the discharge opening 10 is explained hereinafter.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 2, the vertically movable blades 12 include a lower blade 12a for opening and closing the discharge opening 10 and an upper blade 12b disposed above the lower blade 12a to control a direction of air blown out from the discharge opening 10 in cooperation with the lower blade 12a. The lower blade 12a is connected to a drive shaft (not shown) and the upper blade 12b is connected to another drive shaft (not shown). Each drive shaft is connected to a drive source (not shown) such as, for example, a drive motor.

[0071] Fig. 8 is a view depicting shapes of the vertically movable blades and Fig. 9 is a view depicting a shape of side walls of the indoor unit. As shown in Fig. 8, the upper blade 12b and the lower blade 12a (not shown) are longer than a horizontal width of the discharge opening 10.

[0072] When operation of the indoor unit is initiated, as shown in Fig. 2, the vertically movable blades 12 are controlled to open the discharge opening 10 and the fan 8 is driven. Indoor air is drawn into the indoor unit through the front opening 9a and the upper opening 9b by driving the fan 8. The indoor air so drawn is heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 6 and passes through the fan 8. Having passed through the fan 8, the air passes through an air passageway 28 formed
downstream of the fan 8 before it is discharged from the discharge opening 10.

[0073] The direction of air discharged from the discharge opening 10 is controlled by the vertically movable blades 12 and the horizontally movable blades 14. Vertical angles of the vertically movable blades 12 and horizontal angles of the horizontally movable blades 14 are controlled by a remote controller (remote control unit) that controls the indoor unit.

[0074] Further, the air passageway 28 is positioned upstream of the discharge opening 10 and formed by a rear guider 30 positioned downstream of the fan 8, a stabilizer 32 similarly positioned downstream of the fan 8 so as to confront the rear guider 30, and respective side walls 34.

[0075] The term "stabilizer" referred to above can be divided into a stabilizer positioned in the vicinity of the fan 8 on the downstream side thereof to stabilize eddies that may be created in the vicinity of a front portion of the fan 8 and into a front wall portion of a diffuser positioned downstream of the stabilizer to restore the pressure of air conveyed by the fan 8. In this embodiment, those members are collectively referred to as the "stabilizer."

[0076] On an inner side of the discharge opening 10, a wind to be discharged therefrom is sandwiched between the vertically movable blades 12 and between the right and left side walls to change the direction thereof without escaping vertically and horizontally, before it is discharged from the discharge opening 10. On an outer side of the discharge opening 10, even if the wind is changed in horizontal direction and discharged horizontally beyond the right and left end portions of the discharge opening, the wind is controlled so as not to diffuse by the vertically movable blades 12 that have been extended outwardly beyond the right and left side walls 34 of the discharge opening 10, thus making it possible to maintain the horizontal and vertical directions as changed.

[0077] Here, as shown in Fig. 3, when the indoor unit is not in operation and when the discharge opening 10 is covered with the lower blade 12a and a portion of the main body 2 above the discharge opening 10 is covered with the upper blade 12b, a front surface of the lower blade 12a and that of the upper blade 12b are defined as a "design surface."

[0078] When the horizontally movable blades 14 as shown in Fig. 9 face the front, distal end portions thereof protrude forward from the design surface. Accordingly, if the vertically movable blades 12 are closed when the air conditioner is brought to a stop and the horizontally movable blades 14 face the front, the vertically movable blades 12 interfere with the horizontally movable blades 14. Because of this, when the air conditioner is brought to a stop, the horizontally movable blades 14 and the vertically movable blades 12 are controlled such that the former are first inclined inwardly and the discharge opening 10 is subsequently closed by the latter. By this control, the interfere of the vertically movable blades 12 with the horizontally movable blades 14 is avoided. Also, the performance such as, for example, a wind direction control of the discharged wind in the horizontal direction can be enhanced by enlarging the horizontally movable blades 14.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 9, the right and left side walls 34 of the discharge opening 10 have a cross-section including a round shape that extends outwardly towards the discharge opening 10 in the air passageway 28. The side walls 34 of such a round shape produce the Coanda effect of causing the wind to flow along the side walls 34. Accordingly, the horizontal-wind-discharge performance is further enhanced by installing the electronic unit 1 at an upper front portion of the main body 2 to enlarge the discharge opening 10 and by forming the right and left side walls 34 into the aforementioned shape.

[0080] Any combination of the various embodiments referred to above can produce respective effects.

[0081] In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the electronic unit is disposed within the corner portion positioned at an upper front portion within the main body. This configuration increases the width of the wind circuit and that of the discharge opening to enhance the wind direction changing capability and prevents dew condensation on the electronic unit, thus enhancing the reliability of the indoor unit. As such, the air conditioner according to the present invention is useful as various air conditioners including an air conditioner for standard home use.

[0082] Although the present invention has been fully described by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted here that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications otherwise depart from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims, they should be construed as being included therein.

CLAIMS

1. An air conditioner comprising:
a front portion and a top portion both forming a shell of a main body of an indoor unit;
a fan disposed within the main body;
a heat exchanger disposed upstream of the fan;
a filter disposed upstream of the heat exchanger;
a discharge opening for blowing out air;
an electronic unit; and
a corner portion delimited by the front portion, the top portion and the filter; wherein the electronic unit is disposed within the corner portion.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the top portion has a suction opening defined therein to draw air outside the main body and the fan introduces air drawn from the suction opening to the heat exchanger through the corner portion.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein of a wind speed distribution created by the fan within the main body, a wind speed in the corner portion is lowest.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the corner portion is positioned farthest away from the fan within the main body.

5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic unit comprises an electronic substrate-holding member to hold an electronic substrate having various electronic component parts mounted thereon, and the electronic substrate-holding member is disposed so as to confront the filter.

6. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic unit is horizontally long in the corner portion and a distance between the electronic unit and the heat exchanger is 20% or more of a vertical width of the electronic unit.

7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic unit is disposed at a location apart upwardly from a lower end of suction openings defined in the filter by 50 mm or more.

8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic unit is disposed so as to extend substantially parallel to the heat exchanger or the filter.

9. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electronic unit is disposed above a rotary shaft of the fan.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the electronic unit is disposed above an upper end of the fan.

11. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electronic unit is fixed to a filter frame for mounting the filter on the main body, a side surface of the main body, or a frame which is a base of the main body.

12. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a front panel for opening and closing a front opening defined in the main body and a drive arm for opening and closing the front panel, wherein a drive center position of the drive arm is located above a front surface of the electronic unit.