DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
OUTDOOR UNIT AND AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS
Technical Field [0001]
The present invention relates to an outdoor unit having a structure to support a valve connected to a refrigerant pipe, and also to an air-conditioning apparatus. Background Art [0002]
Air-conditioning apparatuses each include an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. Element components disposed in these units are connected by refrigerant pipes. The outdoor unit includes a casing (outer panel) formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The interior of the casing is divided into a fan compartment and a machine compartment by a partition plate (separator) extending vertically. In the fan compartment, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan are provided as main components, and in the machine compartment, a compressor is provided as a main component. The outdoor unit further includes a valve bed which fixes a liquid valve and a gas valve. [0003]
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a flare-valve fixing device in which a flare valve is fixed to a valve bed (attachment plate) by pins, with a retainer plate interposed between the flare valve and the valve bed.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a flare-valve attachment device in which a flare valve is fixed in such a way as to be held by a retainer plate (fixture) and Z-shaped protrusions of a valve bed (attachment plate). Citation List Patent Literature [0004]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-19124

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-120017 Summary of Invention Technical Problem [0005]
In an air-conditioning apparatus, especially, in a cooling-only air-conditioning apparatus, a suction pipe of a compressor provided in an outdoor unit is directly connected to a gas valve. Thus, when the air-conditioning apparatus is in operation or the outdoor unit is being transported, vibrations of the compressor are transmitted to the gas valve via the suction pipe. If vibrations of the compressor are transmitted to the gas valve, there is a possibility that pins or screws in a retainer plate which indirectly retains the gas valve will be loosened or detached. [0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide an outdoor unit and an air-conditioning apparatus that looseness of fastening elements which fasten a valve is prevented. Solution to Problem [0007]
An outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the invention includes a valve provided in a machine compartment and connected to a refrigerant pipe, a valve bed which is provided in the machine compartment and to which the valve is attached, a retainer plate which retains the valve to the valve bed, and a plurality of fastening elements which fasten the retainer plate to the valve bed. The retainer plate includes a main portion which is in contact with the valve bed, and foot retaining portions which extend from two respective portions of the main portion and which are in contact with respective attachment feet provided at the valve. The main portion includes a plurality of first opening portions through which at least one of the fastening elements is inserted. The foot retaining portions include respective second opening portions through which at least one of the fastening elements is inserted. [00081

An air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes the above outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit. Advantageous Effects of Invention [0009]
In the outdoor unit according to the embodiment of the invention, a retainer plate is provided with a main portion including first opening portions and foot retaining portions including second opening portions, and a valve is attached to a valve bed, with the retainer plate interposed between the valve and the valve bed. Thus, the retainer plate is attached at a plurality of locations. It is therefore possible to distribute impacts acting on fastening element, and thus greatly reduce the rate of occurrence of looseness of the fastening elements. [0010]
The air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention includes the above outdoor unit, and can thus greatly reduce the rate of occurrence of looseness of the fastening elements, and ensure high reliability. Brief Description of Drawings [0011]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an example of an internal configuration of an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 of the invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a fastening portion of the outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 of the invention.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a valve support structure in a conventional outdoor unit.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of the valve support structure in the conventional outdoor unit.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a valve support structure in the outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 of the invention.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a configuration of a retainer plate applied to the outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 of the invention.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal-sectional view of a valve bed to which the retainer plate is attached in the outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 of the invention.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a configuration of a retainer plate applied to an outdoor unit according to embodiment 2 of the invention.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a refrigerant circuit configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 3 of the invention.
Description of embodiments [0012]
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings including Fig. 1, relationships in size between structural components as illustrated in the drawings may differ from those between actual components. Also, in the drawings including Fig. 1, structural components identical to or similar to structural components previously illustrated will be denoted by the same reference signs. The same is true of the entire text of the specification. Furthermore, the configurations of the structural components described in the entire text of the specification are explained by way of example, that is, they are not limited to those explained in the specification. [0013] Embodiment 1
Fig. 1 is a plan view of an example of an internal configuration of an outdoor unit 50 according to embodiment 1 of the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a fastening portion of the outdoor unit 50. The configuration of the outdoor unit 50 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 illustrates the interior of the outdoor unit 50 as viewed in plan view, with a top plate of the outdoor unit 50 omitted. Fig. 2 illustrates the outdoor unit 50 as viewed from a position corresponding to a right lower side in Fig. 1. [0014]

The outdoor unit 50 is used as a component in an air-conditioning apparatus 100, which will be described in detail with respect to embodiment 2, together with an indoor unit (indoor unit 80 as illustrated in Fig. 9).
The outdoor unit 50 is installed in a space (for example, an outdoor space) other than a space to be air-conditioned, and supplies cooling or heating energy to the indoor unit.
The indoor unit is installed in a space (for example, an indoor space) for supplying cooling or heating energy to the space to be air-conditioned, and has a function of cooling or heating the space to be air-conditioned by using the cooling or heating energy supplied from the outdoor unit 50.
The outdoor unit 50 is connected to the indoor unit by refrigerant pipes 90. [0015]
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the outdoor unit 50 includes an outer panel 20 formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. In addition to the outer panel 20, the outdoor unit 50 further includes components necessary for a refrigeration cycle, for example, an outdoor fan 71, a compressor 60, an outdoor heat exchanger 70, a liquid valve 51, a gas valve 52, and refrigerant pipes 90. It should be noted that the outdoor unit 50 may further include a flow-passage switching device (flow-passage switching device 66 as illustrated in Fig. 9) to switch the operation to be performed between a cooling operation and a heating operation, as described later in embodiment 2. [0016]
The interior of the outer panel 20 is divided into a machine compartment 20Aand a fan compartment 20B by a separator 40. The separator 40 is located to vertically extend, when installed in the outer panel 20. [0017]
In the fan compartment 20B, the outdoor heat exchanger 70 and the outdoor fan 71 are provided as main components.

The outdoor heat exchanger 70 functions as an evaporator during the heating operation, and functions as a condenser during the cooling operation. As the outdoor heat exchanger 70, for example, a finned tube heat exchanger can be applied. [0018]
The outdoor fan 71 is provided close to the outdoor heat exchanger 70, and supplies air as a heat exchange fluid to the outdoor heat exchanger 70.
During the operation of the outdoor fan 71, air is sucked from an upper region in Fig. 1 into the inside of the outer panel 20, subjected to heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 70, and is then made to blow toward a lower region in Fig. 1.
The outdoor fan 71 is, for example, a propeller fan including blades. The outdoor fan 71 is provided on a lower side than the outdoor heat exchanger 70 as illustrated in Fig. 1 (that is, located downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger 70) in the fan compartment 20B, and is located to face an air outlet provided in the outer panel 20. The outdoor fan 71 is rotated by a fan motor (not illustrated). [0019]
In the machine compartment 20A, the compressor 60 and the refrigerant pipes 90 are provided as main components.
The compressor 60 compresses refrigerant. The compressor 60 is, for example, a rotary compressor, a scroll compressor, a screw compressor, or a reciprocating compressor. The compressor 60 is connected to a discharge pipe and a suction pipe that are included in the refrigerant pipes 90. It should be noted that in the case where the outdoor unit 50 is applied to a cooling-only air-conditioning apparatus, the suction pipe is connected to the gas valve 52. [0020]
The refrigeration cycle is provided by connecting the compressor 60, the outdoor heat exchanger 70, an expansion device (expansion device 65 as illustrated in Fig. 9), and an indoor heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger 81 as illustrated in Fig. 9) with the refrigerant pipes 90. [0021]

In the case where the outdoor unit 50 is applied to the cooling-only air-conditioning apparatus, the suction pipe of the compressor 60 is directly connected to the gas valve 52. The gas valve 52 is attached to a valve bed 30 and located alongside of the liquid valve 51. Both ends of the valve bed 30 are fastened to the separator 40 and the outer panel 20 by fastening elements such as screws 92. The valve bed 30 is bent at the position of the gas valve 52 to be L-shaped as viewed in plan view. [0022]
For example, as illustrated in Fig. 2, an attachment plate 31 may be provided at an end portion of the valve bed 30 such that the valve bed 30 is attached to the outer panel 20 by the attachment plate 31. The valve bed 30 is attached to a wall located in front of an upper portion of the compressor 60 in the machine compartment 20A, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The wall located in front of the compressor 60 corresponds to a wall of the outer panel 20, in which air outlet is formed. Also, the valve bed 30 may be directly attached to the outer panel 20 without provision of the attachment plate 31. [0023]
A structure which supports the valve connected to the refrigerant pipe (which will be hereinafter referred to as "valve support structure") will now be described.
First of all, it will be described what problems arise in a valve support structure in an outdoor unit of a comparative example. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the valve support structure in the outdoor unit of the comparative example. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of the valve support structure in the outdoor unit of the comparative example. It should be noted that the components of the outdoor unit of the comparative example will be denoted by reference signs including the suffix "X", which enable them to be distinguished from the components of the outdoor unit 50 according to embodiment 1. [0024]
In the outdoor unit of the comparative example, a gas valve 52X is directly fastened to a valve bed 30X by screws 91X (fastening elements). Fig. 3 illustrates an example in which an attachment plate 31X is provided at an end portion of the valve

bed 30X. That is, in the outdoor unit of the comparative example, the valve bed 30X is attached to an outer panel, with the attachment plate 31X interposed between the valve bed 30X and the outer panel. [0025]
At the gas valve 52X, attachment feet 52aX are provided to horizontally extend and provided for attachment of the gas valve 52X to the valve bed 30X. In the outdoor unit of the comparative example, a suction pipe (refrigerant pipe 90X) of a compressor is directly connected to the gas valve 52X. Thus, when the outdoor unit is being operated or transported, vibrations created by the compressor are transmitted to the gas valve 52X, that is, those vibrations cause the suction pipe to move leftwards and rightwards (as indicated by arrows in Fig. 4). [0026]
If the suction pipe is moved leftwards and rightwards, a force acts on the screws 91 which fasten the gas valve 52X, in the same direction as or the opposite direction of the direction in which the screws 91X fasten the gas valve 52X. As a result, the screws 91X may be unfastened or detached. [0027]
Next, a valve support structure in the outdoor unit 50 according to embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the valve support structure in the outdoor unit 50. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a retainer plate 10 applied to the outdoor unit 50. Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal-sectional view of the valve bed 30 to which the retainer plate 10 is attached in the outdoor unit 50. [0028]
In the outdoor unit 50, the gas valve 52 is fastened to the valve bed 30 by screws 91, with the retainer plate 10 interposed between the gas valve 52 and the valve bed 30. At the gas valve 52, attachment feet 52a are provided to horizontally extend and provided for attachment of the gas valve 52 to the valve bed 30. In the outdoor unit 50, the suction pipe (refrigerant pipe 90) of the compressor 60 is also connected to the gas valve 52. Thus, when the outdoor unit 50 is being operated or transported, vibrations

creased at the compressor 60 are transmitted to the gas valve 52 via the suction pipe,
as in the outdoor unit of the comparative example.
[0029]
In view of the above, the outdoor unit 50 employs a valve support structure including the retainer plate 10. It should be noted that preferably, the retainer plate 10 should be formed by processing a metal sheet.
As illustrated in Fig. 6, the retainer plate 10 includes a main portion 10B which has an L-shape as seen in font view, two foot retaining portions 10A which extend from the main portion 10B, an engagement portion 10C which is projected in the opposite direction to the projecting direction of the foot retaining portions 10Aare projected, and a hook portion 10D which is located opposite to the main portion 10B with respect to the engagement portion 10C. [0030]
The main portion 10B is directly fastened onto the valve bed 30 by screws. The main portion 10B is L-shaped as seen in font view, and includes a first straight portion 10Ba which is located to horizontally extend when the retainer plate 10 is attached to the valve bed 30, and a second straight portion 10Bb which is located to extend upwards in a vertical direction from one end side of the first straight portion 10Ba (a left side in Fig. 5) when the retainer plate 10 is attached to the valve bed 30. It should be noted that on the other end side of the first straight portion 10Ba (a right side in Fig. 5) and on a right side of the second straight portion 10Bb as shown in Fig. 5, no metal sheet is provided; that is, space is provided. [0031]
In the main portion 10B, at least three first opening portions are provided to allow the screws 91 to be inserted therethrough. Two of the three first opening portions are opening portions 10B2, which are located in the first straight portion 10Ba at positions corresponding to the respective foot retaining portions 10A. The other of the three first opening portions is an opening 10B1, which is located in the second straight portion 10Bb such that the opening 10B1, a respective one of the opening portions 10B2 and

an opening portion 10A1 provided in a respective one of the foot retaining portions 10A
are aligned with each other.
[0032]
The foot retaining portions 10A are fastened to the valve bed 30 by screws while pressing the respective attachment feet 52a of the gas valve 52. The foot retaining portions 10A extend downward in the vertical direction from both sides of an end portion of the first straight portion 10Ba of the main portion 10B, which is located opposite to the second straight portion 10Bb of the main portion 10B. The foot retaining portions 10A, as illustrated in Fig. 7, are each bent at least twice to define a space 95 as seen in sectional view. When the gas valve 52 has been attached to the valve bed 30, the attachment feet 52a of the gas valve 52 are located in the respective spaces 95. The foot retaining portions 10A include respective opening portions 10A1 which are second opening portions allowing the screws 91 to be inserted therethrough. [0033]
When the retainer plate 10 has been attached to the valve bed 30, the engagement portion 10C is located on an upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30. Also, the engagement portion 10C is adjoined to an end portion of the main portion 10B which is located opposite to the foot retaining portions 10A, and is located to horizontally extend when retainer plate 10 has been attached to the valve bed 30. That is, an end portion of the engagement portion 10C, which is opposite to the first straight portion 10Ba with respect to the second straight portion 10Bb, is adjoined to the second straight portion 10Bb such that it is bent at a certain angle with respect thereto. Also, when the retainer plate 10 has been attached to the valve bed 30, the engagement portion 10C is engaged with the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30. [0034]
Furthermore, when the retainer plate 10 has been attached to the valve bed 30, the hook portion 10D is located to extend downwards in the vertical direction from an end portion of the engagement portion 10C. Also, in the above attached state of the retainer plate 10, the hook portion 10D holds the valve bed 30 such that the valve bed 30 is sandwiched between the hook portion 10D and the main portion 10B. That is, in

the attached state of the retainer plate 10, the hook portion 10D restricts movement of the retainer plate 10 while maintaining engagement of the engagement portion 10C with the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30. [0035]
The retainer plate 10 is inserted from above between the valve bed 30 and the gas valve 52 and fastened by screws, with the gas valve 52 pressed against the valve bed 30. When the retainer plate 10 has been attached to the valve bed 30, the foot retaining portions 10A press the right and left attachment feet 52a of the gas valve 52 from side surfaces thereof, and the main portion 10B is fastened by the screws 91 at the two opening portions 10B2 located in the main portion 10B to prevent the foot retaining portions 10Afrom being separated from the attachment feet 52a. The main portion 10B is also fastened by the screw 91 at the opening 10B1 formed in the main portion 10B at a position distant from the foot retaining portions 10A, in order that the main portion 10B be prevented from being detached from the valve bed 30. [0036]
The engagement portion 10C is engaged with the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30, and thus serves to position the retainer plate 10 with respect to the gas valve 52 and also to prevent falling of the retainer plate 10. The hook portion 10D is in contact with the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30, and thereby serves to restrict movement of the retainer plate 10. [0037]
As described above, the outdoor unit 50 can reduce the rate of occurrence of looseness of the screws 91, even if vibrations created at the compressor 60 during the operation or transportation of the outdoor unit 50 are transmitted via the suction pipe to the gas valve 52 directly connected to the suction pipe of the compressor 60. To be more specific, in the outdoor unit 50, the right and left attachment feet 52a of the gas valve 52 are pressed from their sides by the foot retaining portions 10Aand are fastened by the screws 91, and the main portion 10B is also fastened by the screws 91. Thereby, even if vibrations are transmitted to the screws 91, they can be distributed by the retainer plate 10, and can thus be greatly reduced.

[0038]
In other words, in the outdoor unit 50, by virtue of provision of the retainer plate 10, the following advantage can be obtained: part of the retainer plate 10 which retains the gas valve 52 is separate from part of the retainer plate 10 which is attached to the valve bed 30. As a result, the gas valve 52 can be retained at a plurality of locations, thus distributing vibrations transmitted to the screws 91. Therefore, in the outdoor unit 50, even if vibrations created at the compressor 60 during the operation or transportation of the outdoor unit 50 are transmitted to the gas valve 52 via the suction pipe, it is possible to greatly reduce the rate of occurrence of looseness of each of the screws 91. In addition, the retainer plate 10 is bent to define the spaces 95, whereby the bent portion of the plate functions as a spring, and can also absorb the vibrations. [0039]
In the outdoor unit 50, since the engagement portion 10C of the retainer plate 10 is located on the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30, positioning of the screws 91 at the time of retaining the gas valve 52 is easily achieved. In addition, in the outdoor unit 50, the main portion 10B and the hook portion 10D hold the valve bed 30 therebetween, thereby also preventing falling of the retainer plate 10. Furthermore, in the outdoor unit 50, the hook portion 10D, which is a bent piece, also restricts forward and backward movement of the retainer plate 10, and can thus further reduce the rate of occurrence of looseness of the screws 91. [0040]
In addition, it should be noted that in a heat pump apparatus which can switch the operation to be performed between a cooling operation and a heating operation, a flow-passage switching device such as a four-way valve is provided between a compressor and a gas valve, and can reduce created vibrations. In contrast, in a cooling-only air-conditioning apparatus, a flow-passage switching device is not provided, and a compressor is directly connected to a pipe for a gas valve. Thus, in the cooling-only air-conditioning apparatus, an advantage obtained by the retainer plate 10 is more remarkable.

Although the above description is given by referring to by way of example the case where the screws 91 are applied as fastening elements, pins may be applied as the fastening elements. [0041] Embodiment 2
Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a retainer plate 15 applied to an outdoor unit according to embodiment 2 of the invention. The retainer plate 15 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 8. Embodiment 2 will be described mainly by referring to on what point it is different from embodiment 1. Although the retainer plate is denoted by the reference sign "15" as a matter of convenience for explanation, the basis configuration and function of the retainer plate 15 are the same as those of the retainer plate 10 according to embodiment 1. [0042]
The above description of embodiment 1 is given with respect to the retainer plate 10 in which part of the main portion 10B, the engagement portion 10C and the hook portion 10D is cut out, and the main portion 10B is L-shaped as seen side-on. In contrast, the retainer plate 15 according to embodiment 2 is formed to have a main portion 15B formed rectangularly as viewed side-on, without cutting out part of the main portion 15B, an engagement portion 15C and a hook portion 15D. [0043]
The retainer plate 15 includes a main portion 15B which is rectangular as viewed side-on, two foot retaining portions 15A extending from the main portion 15B, an engagement portion 15C extending and located opposite to the foot retaining portions 15A with respect to the main portion 15B and a hook portion 15D extending and located opposite to the main portion 15B with respect to the engagement portion 15C. [0044]
The main portion 15B is fastened onto the valve bed 30 by screws. The main portion 15B is rectangular as viewed side-on. In other words, the main portion 15B has no cut-out portion in contrast to the main portion 10B described with respect to embodiment 1. The main portion 15B includes at least three opening portions which

allow screws 91 to be inserted therethrough. Two of the three opening portions are opening portions 15B1, which are formed at positions corresponding to respective foot retaining portions 15A. The other opening is an opening portion 15B2, which is located such that the opening portion 15B2, a respective one of the opening portions 15B1 and an opening portion 15A1 provided in a respective one of the foot retaining portions 15A are aligned with each other. [0045]
The foot retaining portions 15A are fastened to the valve bed 30 by screws while pressing the respective attachment feet 52a of the gas valve 52. The foot retaining portions 15A extend downwards in the vertical direction from both sides of an end portion of the main portion 15B, which is located opposite to the engagement portion 15C. The foot retaining portions 15A are each bent at least twice to define a space 95 as seen in sectional view, as well as the foot retaining portions 10A described with respect to embodiment 1. Also, the foot retaining portions 15A are provided with opening portions 15A1 which allow screws 91 to be inserted therethrough. [0046]
The engagement portion 15C is positioned on the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30. The engagement portion 15C is adjoined to a portion of the main portion 15B which is located opposite to the foot retaining portions 15A, and is located to vertically extend when the retainer plate 15 has been attached to the valve bed 30. That is, an end portion of the engagement portion 15C which is located opposite to the foot retaining portions 10A, is adjoined to the main portion 15B such that it is bent at a certain angle with respect thereto. [0047]
When the retainer plate 15 has been attached to the valve bed 30, the hook portion 15D is located to extend downwards in the vertical direction from an end portion of the engagement portion 15C which is located opposite to the main portion 15B. In the above attached state of the retainer plate 15, the hook portion 15D holds the valve bed 30 such that the valve bed 30 is sandwiched between the hook portion 15D and the main portion 15B.

[0048]
The retainer plate 15 is inserted from above between the valve bed 30 and the gas valve 52 and fastened by screws, with the gas valve 52 pressed against the valve bed 30. When the retainer plate 15 has been fastened to the valve bed 30, the foot retaining portions 15A press the attachment feet 52a of the gas valve 52 in the horizontal direction, and the main portion 15B is fastened by the screws 91 at the two opening portions 15B1 located in the main portion 15B to prevent the foot retaining portions 15Afrom being separated from the attachment feet 52a. Also, the main portion 15B is also fastened by the screw 91 at the opening portion 15B2 located in the main portion 15B at a position distant from the foot retaining portions 15A to prevent the main portion 15B from being separated from the valve bed 30. [0049]
The engagement portion 15C is engaged with the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30 and thus serves to position the retainer plate 15 with respect to the gas valve 52 and to prevent the retainer plate 15 from falling. The hook portion 15D is in contact with the upper end portion 30a of the valve bed 30, and thereby serves to restrict movement of the retainer plate 15. [0050]
As described above, also in the outdoor unit according to embodiment 2, the retainer plate 15 is used to retain the gas valve 52, and it is therefore possible to obtain the same advantages as in embodiment 1. [0051] Embodiment 3
Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a refrigerant circuit configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to embodiment 3 of the invention. In Fig. 9, dashed arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant during the cooling operation, and solid arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant during the heating operation. [0052] Configuration of air-conditioning apparatus 100>

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes the outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 or 2. With respect to embodiment 3, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described as a matter of convenience by referring to by way of example the case where it includes the outdoor unit 50 according to embodiment 1. [0053]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes the compressor 60, the indoor heat exchanger 81, an indoor fan 82, the expansion device 65, the outdoor heat exchanger 70, the outdoor fan 71, and the flow-passage switching device 66. The compressor 60, the indoor heat exchanger 81, the expansion device 65, the outdoor heat exchanger 70, and the flow-passage switching device 66 are connected by the refrigerant pipes 90 to configure a refrigerant circuit.
It should be noted that part of the configuration of the outdoor unit 50 is described in the explanation of embodiment 1. [0054]
In the outdoor unit 50, the flow-passage switching device 66 and the expansion device 65 are provided in addition to the compressor 60, the outdoor heat exchanger 70, and the outdoor fan 71. Also, in the outdoor unit 50, the gas valve 52 and the liquid valve 51 are provided. [0055]
The flow-passage switching device 66 is provided on the discharge side of the compressor 60, and change the flow of refrigerant in accordance with whether the operation to be performed is the heating operation or the cooling operation. The flow-passage switching device 66 is not limited to a specific one. It is preferable that the flow-passage switching device 66 be constituted by, for example, a four-way valve, as illustrated in Fig. 9. [0056]
The expansion device 65 expands and decompresses refrigerant having passed through the indoor heat exchanger 81 or the outdoor heat exchanger 70. Preferably, as the expansion device 65, for example, an electric expansion valve which can adjust

the flow rate of refrigerant should be applied. Alternatively, as the expansion device 65, for example, a mechanical expansion valve employing a diaphragm in a pressure receiving portion or a capillary tube can be applied; that is, the expansion device 65 is not limited to the electric expansion valve. The expansion device 65 may also be provided in the indoor unit 80, not in the outdoor unit 50. [0057]
In the indoor unit 80, the indoor heat exchanger 81 and the indoor fan 82 are provided.
The indoor heat exchanger 81 functions as a condenser during the heating operation, and functions as an evaporator during the cooling operation. As the indoor heat exchanger 81, for example, a finned tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, a double-pipe heat exchanger, or a plate heat exchanger can be applied. It should be noted that the following description is made by referring to by way of example the case where a finned tube heat exchanger is applied as the indoor heat exchanger 81.
The indoor fan 82 is provided close to the indoor heat exchanger 81, and supplies air as heat exchange fluid to the indoor heat exchanger 81. [0058]
The operations of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described along with the flow of refrigerant. First of all, the cooling operation to be executed by the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described. It should be noted that the flow of refrigerant during the cooling operation is indicated by dashed arrows in Fig. 9. Also, the operations of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described by referring to by way of example the case where the fluid to be subjected to heat exchanger is refrigerant. [0059]
By driving the compressor 60, high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 60. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant then flows as indicated by the dashed arrows. The high-temperature, high-

pressure gas refrigerant (single phase) discharged from the compressor 60 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 70 functioning as a condenser, through the flow-passage switching device 66. In the outdoor heat exchanger 70, heat exchange is performed between the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant and air supplied from the outdoor fan 71, and the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed to change into high-pressure liquid refrigerant (single phase). [0060]
The high-pressure liquid refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 70 is changed by the expansion device 65 into two-phase refrigerant containing low-pressure gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. This two-phase refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 81 functioning as an evaporator. In the indoor heat exchanger 81, heat exchange is performed between the two-phase refrigerant and air supplied from the indoor fan 82, and the liquid refrigerant contained in the two-phase refrigerant is evaporated to change into low-pressure gas refrigerant (single phase). By this heat exchange, the indoor space is cooled. The low-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 81 flows into the compressor 60 through the flow-passage switching device 66, is then compressed into high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant, and is discharged from the compressor 60 as the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, this cycle is repeated. [0061]
Next, the heating operation to be executed by the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described. It should be noted that the flow of refrigerant during the heating operation is indicated by the solid arrows in Fig. 9. [0062]
By driving the compressor 60, high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 60. The refrigerant then flows as indicated by the solid arrows. [0063]
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant (single phase) discharged from the compressor 60 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 81 functioning as a

condenser, through the flow-passage switching device 66. In the indoor heat exchanger 81, heat exchange is performed between the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant and air supplied from the indoor fan 82, and the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant is thus condensed to change into high-pressure liquid refrigerant (single phase). By this heat exchange, the indoor space is heated. [0064]
The high-pressure liquid refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 81 is changed into two-phase refrigerant containing low-pressure gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant by the expansion device 65. The two-phase refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 70 functioning as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 70, heat exchange is performed between the two-phase refrigerant and air supplied from the outdoor fan 71, and the liquid refrigerant contained in the two-phase refrigerant is thus evaporated to change into low-pressure gas refrigerant (single phase). [0065]
The low-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 70 flows into the compressor 60 through the flow-passage switching device 66, is then compressed into high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant, and discharged from the compressor 60 as the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, this cycle is repeated. [0066]
Although embodiment 1 is described above by referring to by way of example the outdoor unit 50 applied to a cooling-only air-conditioning apparatus, the outdoor unit 50 may also be applied to an air-conditioning apparatus which can switch the operation to be performed between the cooling operation and the heating operation, such as the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to embodiment 3. In this case, the retainer plate 10 may be used to retain not only the gas valve 52 but another valve included in the outdoor unit 50. [0067]

It should be noted that the outdoor unit employing the retainer plate 15 according to embodiment 2 may also be applied to the air-conditioning apparatus 100. In either case, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 can greatly reduce the rate of occurrence of looseness of the screws 91 fastening the gas valve provided in the outdoor unit. The air-conditioning apparatus 100 can thus also reduce the probability of failure which is caused by looseness of the screws 91, and ensure high reliability. Reference Signs List [0068]
10 retainer plate 10A foot retaining portion 10A1 opening portion
10B main portion 10B1 opening portion 10B2 opening portion
10Ba first straight portion 10Bb second straight portion 10C engagement
portion 10D hook portion 15 retainer plate 15A foot retaining
portion 15A1 opening portion 15B main portion 15B1
opening portion 15B2 opening portion 15C engagement portion
15D hook portion 20 outer panel 20A machine compartment
20B fan compartment 30 valve bed 30X valve bed 30a
upper end portion 31 attachment plate 31X attachment plate 40
separator 50 outdoor unit 51 liquid valve 52 gas valve
52X gas valve 52a attachment foot 52aX attachment foot 60
compressor 65 expansion device 66 flow-passage switching device
70 outdoor heat exchanger 71 outdoor fan 80 indoor unit 81
indoor heat exchanger 82 indoor fan 90 refrigerant pipe 90X
refrigerant pipe 91 screw 91X screw 92 screw 95
space 100 air-conditioning apparatus

We Claim:
[Claim 1]
An outdoor unit comprising:
a valve provided in a machine compartment of the outdoor unit, and connected to a refrigerant pipe provided in the machine compartment;
a valve bed which is provided in the machine compartment, and to which the valve is attached;
a retainer plate configured to retain the valve to the valve bed; and
a plurality of fastening elements configured to fasten the retainer plate to the valve bed,
wherein the retainer plate includes:
a main portion which is in contact with the valve bed; and foot retaining portions extending from two respective portions of the main portion, the foot retaining portions being in contact with respective attachment feet provided at the valve,
the main portion includes a plurality of first opening portions for insertion of the fastening elements, and
the foot retaining portions include respective second opening portions for insertion of the fastening elements. [Claim 2]
The outdoor unit of claim 1, wherein
at least two of the first opening portions are located at positions corresponding to the second opening portions of the foot retaining portions, and
at least one of the first opening portions is aligned with one of the second opening portions of the foot retaining portions and one of the first opening portions which is located at the position corresponding to the one of the second opening portions. [Claim 3]
The outdoor unit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the retainer plate is fastened by the fastening elements while inserted between the valve and the valve bed. [Claim 4]

The outdoor unit of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the retainer plate further includes:
an engagement portion extending from the main portion, and positioned on an upper end portion of the valve bed; and
a hook portion extending from the engagement portion. [Claim 5]
The outdoor unit of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main portion is formed to be L-shaped or rectangular as seen in front view. [Claim 6]
An air-conditioning apparatus comprising:
the outdoor unit as dependent on any one of claims 1 to 5; and
an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit.