FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
OUTDOOR UNIT;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION
AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
2
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
5 [0001]
The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit including a control board.
Background Art
[0002]
In the past, an outdoor unit including a control board has been known as an
10 outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus. On the control board, for example,
heat generating elements and capacitors are mounted. Also, lead wires are drawn
in the vicinity of the heat generating elements and the capacitors. On the control
board, the heat generating elements and the capacitors are usually located adjacent
to each other in order to reduce the probability that noise will be made to cause an
15 erroneous operation. It should be noted that a heat sink is attached to the heat
generating elements to diffuse heat generated from the heat generating elements.
That is, the heat sink and the capacitors are located close to each other.
Furthermore, when the lead wires are drawn at positions away from the heat
generating elements, there is a possibility that noise will be made, thus affecting the
20 operation of the control board. Therefore, generally, the heat sink, the capacitors,
and the lead wires are provided close to each other.
[0003]
Patent Literature 1 discloses an outdoor unit of a heat pump apparatus. The
outdoor unit is provided with an electrical equipment box including a control board
25 and a heat sink. On the control board, heat generating elements and capacitors are
mounted such that the heat generating elements and the capacitors are located
adjacent to each other. The heat sink diffuses heat generated from the heat
generating elements. Connectors are attached to the control board disclosed in
Patent Literature 1, and lead wires drawn from an air-sending chamber or a machine
30 chamber are inserted into the connectors.
3
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
5 2010-38420
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
However, in general, lead wires are disposed adjacent to the heat sink and the
10 capacitors. Therefore, in the outdoor unit of the heat pump apparatus disclosed in
Patent Literature 1, there is a possibility that at the time of assembling the outdoor
unit, when a worker pulls a lead wire, the lead wire will be brought into contact with a
capacitor. Consequently, there is a possibility that the capacitor will fall and a solder
portion that electrically connects the control board and a terminal portion provided at
15 the capacitor will be broken, thus causing disconnection.
[0006]
The present disclosure is applied to solve the above problem, and relates to an
outdoor unit in which the probability that a lead wire will come into contact with a
capacitor can be reduced.
20 Solution to Problem
[0007]
An outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
a control board on which a heat generating element and a capacitor are mounted
adjacent to each other; a lead wire that is provided between the heat generating
25 element and the capacitor, and connected to the control board; a heat sink that is
attached to the heat generating element, and diffuses heat generated from the heat
generating element; and a heat sink holder that supports the heat sink. The heat
sink holder includes a frame portion that surrounds an outer periphery of the heat sink,
an extension portion that extends between the heat sink and the capacitor from the
4
frame portion in the opposite direction to a direction toward the control board; and a
holding portion that protrudes from the extension portion and holds the lead wire.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0008]
According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the 5 heat sink holder
that holds the heat sink includes the extension portion and the holding portion, and
the holding portion holds the lead wire. Therefore, even if a worker pulls the lead
wire, the lead wire is not moved. It is therefore possible to reduce the probability that
the lead wire will contact the capacitor.
10 Brief Description of Drawings
[0009]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an air-conditioning apparatus 1
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled outdoor unit 2
15 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the outdoor unit 2
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, with a front panel 21, a side
panel 22, and a top panel 23 removed from the outdoor unit 2.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a front view illustrating the outdoor unit 2 according to
20 Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, with the front panel 21, the side panel 22,
and the top panel 23 removed from the outdoor unit 2.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electric component
box 34 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a control board 41 according to
25 Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a capacitor 50b according to
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a front view illustrating the electric component box 34
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
5
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a heat sink support 60 and a
heat sink holder 70 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the heat sink support 60 and the heat
sink holder 70 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure as viewed from
an angle different from the angle from which the heat sink support 5 60 and the heat
sink holder 70 are viewed as illustrated in Fig. 9.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the heat sink support 60
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the heat sink holder 70
10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the heat sink holder 70 according to
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure as viewed from an angle different from the
angle from which the heat sink holder 70 is viewed as illustrated in Fig. 12.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a top plan view illustrating the heat sink holder 70 according
15 to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a holding portion 74 according
to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a top plan view illustrating the holding portion 74 according
to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
20 [Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled electric
component box 34 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a sectional view illustrating the electric component box 34
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
Description of Embodiments
25 [0010]
Embodiment 1
An embodiment of an outdoor unit according to the present disclosure will be
described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an
air-conditioning apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
30 As illustrated in Fig. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 is an apparatus that conditions
6
air in an indoor space, and includes an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3. In the
outdoor unit 2, for example, a compressor 6, a flow switching device 7, an outdoor
heat exchanger 8, an outdoor fan 9, and an expansion unit 10 are provided. In the
indoor unit 3, for example, an indoor heat exchanger 11 and an indoor fan 12 are
5 provided.
[0011]
The compressor 6, the flow switching device 7, the outdoor heat exchanger 8,
the expansion unit 10, and the indoor heat exchanger 11 are connected by refrigerant
pipes 5, thereby forming a refrigerant circuit 4. The compressor 6 sucks low10
temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant into
high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and discharges the high-temperature
and high-pressure refrigerant. The flow switching device 7 switches the flow
direction of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 4 between a plurality of flow directions,
and may be a four-way valve, for example. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 causes
15 heat exchange to be performed between outdoor air and refrigerant, for example.
The outdoor heat exchanger 8 operates as a condenser during a cooling operation,
and operates as an evaporator during a heating operation. The outdoor fan 9 is a
device that sends outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 8.
[0012]
20 The expansion unit 10 is a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve that
reduces the pressure of refrigerant to expand the refrigerant. The expansion unit 10
is an electronic expansion valve the opening degree of which can be controlled, for
example. The indoor heat exchanger 11 causes heat exchange to be performed, for
example, between indoor air and refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger 11
25 operates as an evaporator during the cooling operation, and operates as a condenser
during the heating operation. The indoor fan 12 is a device that sends indoor air to
the indoor heat exchanger 11.
[0013]
(Operation Mode: Cooling Operation)
7
Next, the operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 will be described.
First, the cooling operation will be described. During the cooling operation,
refrigerant sucked by the compressor 6 is compressed by the compressor 6 to
change into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the hightemperature
and high-pressure gas refrigerant is then discharged 5 from the
compressor 6. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged
from the compressor 6 passes through the flow switching device 7, flows into the
outdoor heat exchanger 8 operating as the condenser, and exchanges heat with
outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9 at the outdoor heat exchanger 8. As a result,
10 the refrigerant condenses and liquefies. The refrigerant that has condensed and
liquefied flows into the expansion unit 10, and is expanded and reduced in pressure in
the expansion unit 10 to change into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase
gas-liquid refrigerant. Then, the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows into the
indoor heat exchanger 11 operating as the evaporator, and exchanges heat with
15 indoor air sent by the indoor fan 12 at the indoor heat exchanger 11. As a result, the
refrigerant evaporates and gasifies. At this time, the indoor air is cooled, and the
cooling operation is thus performed in an indoor space. The evaporated lowtemperature
and low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the flow switching
device 7, and is sucked by the compressor 6.
20 [0014]
(Operation Mode: Heating Operation)
Next, the heating operation will be described. During the heating operation,
refrigerant sucked by the compressor 6 is compressed by the compressor 6 to
change into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the high25
temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is then discharged from the
compressor 6. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged
from the compressor 6 passes through the flow switching device 7, flows into the
indoor heat exchanger 11 operating as the condenser, and exchanges heat with
indoor air sent by the indoor fan 12 at the indoor heat exchanger 11. As a result, the
30 refrigerant condenses and liquefies. At this time, the indoor air is heated, and the
8
heating operation is thus performed in the indoor space. The refrigerant that has
condensed and liquefied flows into the expansion unit 10, and is expanded and
reduced in pressure in the expansion unit 10 to change into low-temperature and lowpressure
two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. Then, the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant
flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8 operating as the evaporator, 5 and exchanges
heat with outdoor air sent by the outdoor fan 9 at the outdoor heat exchanger 8. As
a result, the refrigerant evaporates and gasifies. The low-temperature and lowpressure
refrigerant that has evaporated and gasified passes through the flow
switching device 7, and is sucked by the compressor 6.
10 [0015]
(Housing 20)
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled outdoor unit 2 according
to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Next, the outdoor unit 2 will be
described. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the outdoor unit 2 includes a housing 20 and an
15 internal constituent portion 30. The housing 20 includes a front panel 21, side
panels 22, a top panel 23, and a fan guard 24. The front panel 21 is a sheet metal
that covers a front surface of the internal constituent portion 30. Each of the side
panels 22 is a sheet metal that covers an associated one of side surfaces of the
internal constituent portion 30. The top panel 23 is a sheet metal that covers an
20 upper surface of the internal constituent portion 30. The fan guard 24 is provided to
close openings that are formed in the front panel 21 to allow air to pass through the
openings, and the fan guard 24 reduces the probability that foreign substances will
enter the outdoor unit 2.
[0016]
25 (Internal Constituent portion 30)
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the outdoor unit 2 according
to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure from, with the front panel 21, the side
panel 22, and the top panel 23 removed from the outdoor unit 2. Fig. 4 is a front
view illustrating the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1 of the present
30 disclosure, with the front panel 21, the side panel 22, and the top panel 23 removed
9
from the outdoor unit 2. Next, the internal constituent portion 30 will be described.
As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the internal constituent portion 30 includes a base 31,
the compressor 6, the outdoor heat exchanger 8, a motor support portion 32, the
outdoor fan 9, a partition plate 33, and an electric component box 34. The base 31
is a member that forms a bottom surface of the outdoor unit 2. The 5 front panel 21,
the side panel 22, the top panel 23, and the base 31 form an outer shell of the
outdoor unit 2.
[0017]
The compressor 6 is provided on the base 31. The outdoor heat exchanger 8
10 has, for example, an L-shaped cross section. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 is
provided on the base 31, and forms the other side surface and a back surface of the
outdoor unit 2. The motor support portion 32 is provided on a front side of part of the
outdoor heat exchanger 8 that forms the back surface of the outdoor unit 2, and
supports a motor (not illustrated) that drives the outdoor fan 9 to rotate the outdoor
15 fan 9. The outdoor fan 9 is attached to the motor support portion 32. The outdoor
fan 9 sucks air from the back surface of the outdoor unit 2, and sends the air to the
outdoor heat exchanger 8, that is, the air flows through a flow passage from the back
surface of the outdoor unit 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 8. The partition plate 33
is a sheet metal that extends upwards from the base 31 to partition the inside of the
20 outdoor unit 2 into an air supply chamber 25 and a machine chamber 26. The
outdoor heat exchanger 8 and the outdoor fan 9 are provided in the air supply
chamber 25, and the compressor 6 and the refrigerant pipe 5 connected to the
compressor 6 are provided in the machine chamber 26. The electric component box
34 accommodates electrical components, and is provided at an upper end of the
25 partition plate 33. In the outdoor unit 2 that is provided with an inverter drive circuit,
the electric component box 34 is provided to accommodate a control board 41.
[0018]
(Electric Component Box 34)
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electric component box
30 34 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Next, the electric
10
component box 34 will be described. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the electric component
box 34 includes the control board 41, lead wires 42 (see Fig. 6), a substrate holder 43,
a cover 44, a terminal block support 45, an air guide 46, a heat sink 47, a heat sink
support 60, and a heat sink holder 70.
5 [0019]
(Control Board 41)
Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the control board 41 according to
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the control board 41
is a board on which a plurality of electronic components are mounted. To be more
10 specific, heat generating elements 50a and capacitors 50b are mounted on the
control board 41. The heat generating elements 50a may be, for example,
transistors or diodes that control the operation of the compressor 6 and the outdoor
fan 9. The heat generating elements 50a such as the transistors or the diodes
generate heat, with the control board 41 driven. The heat generating elements 50a
15 and the capacitors 50b are mounted adjacent to each other on the control board 41.
Regarding Embodiment 1, although it is illustrated by way of example that three
capacitors 50b are arranged in series and adjacent to the heat generating elements
50a, the arrangement of the capacitors 50b is not limited to such an arrangement.
[0020]
20 Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating each of the capacitors 50b according to
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the capacitor 50b
has terminal portions 50c on a bottom surface of the capacitor 50b, and the terminal
portions 50c are conductively fixed to the control board 41 by, for example, soldering
such that the capacitor 50b and the control board 41 are electrically connected to
25 each other. The control board 41 has mounting holes 41a in such a manner as to
face the terminal portions 50c of the capacitors 50b, and the terminal portions 50c are
fitted in the mounting holes 41a and conductively fixed to the control board 41 by, for
example, soldering.
[0021]
30 (Lead Wire 42)
11
Fig. 8 is a front view illustrating the electric component box 34 according to
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 8, each of the lead
wires 42 is provided between an associated one of the heat generating elements 50a
and an associated one of the capacitors 50b, and is connected to the control board
41. The lead wire 42 is used as a wire through which power for driving 5 the control
board 41 is supplied to the control board 41, and is electrically connected to the
control board 41 by soldering, for example.
[0022]
(Substrate Holder 43, Cover 44, Terminal Block Support 45)
10 As illustrated in Fig. 5, the substrate holder 43 is a frame-shaped member that
accommodates the control board 41, and is made of resin such as ABS. The cover
44 is a member that covers the substrate holder 43 in which the control board 41 is
accommodated, and the cover 44 forms an upper portion of the electric component
box 34. The cover 44 is made of, for example, sheet metal, and reduces the
15 probability with which for example, dew will enter the electric component box 34, as a
result of which the control board 41 will be wet and short circuit, and also reduces the
probability with which fire from the control board 41 will spread when a fire occurs.
The terminal block support 45 holds and fixes, using screws, for example, a terminal
block (not illustrated) that supplies power for driving the control board 41. The
20 terminal block support 45 is fixed to the substrate holder 43 by screws, for example.
[0023]
(Heat Sink 47)
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the heat sink 47 is made of aluminum, for example, and
includes a plurality of fins 47a. The heat sink 47 is attached to the heat generating
25 elements 50a to diffuse heat generated from the heat generating elements 50a. The
heat sink 47 is fixed to the control board 41 by screws (not illustrated) in contact with
the heat generating elements 50a. The heat sink 47 cools the heat generating
elements 50a to reduce an increase in the temperature of the heat generating
elements 50a. The heat sink 47 is provided in the air supply chamber 25 of the
30 outdoor unit 2. The heat sink 47 transfers heat generated from the heat generating
12
elements 50a to air sent by the outdoor fan 9 to diffuse the heat from the heat
generating elements 50a. Because of provision of such a configuration, the heat
sink 47 cools the heat generating elements 50a.
[0024]
5 (Air Guide 46)
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the air guide 46 is a member that guides air sent from
the outdoor fan 9 to the heat sink 47. The air guide 46 is made of resin, for example.
The air guide 46 is attached to the heat sink support 60, and efficiently brings air that
flows into the air supply chamber 25 into contact with the heat sink 47. In
10 Embodiment 1, the air guide 46 is made of resin; however, the material of the air
guide 46 is not limited to the resin.
[0025]
Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the heat sink support 60 and the heat
sink holder 70 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a
15 perspective view of the heat sink support 60 and the heat sink holder 70 according to
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure as viewed from an angle different from the
angle from which the heat sink support 60 and the heat sink holder 70 are viewed as
illustrated in Fig. 9. As illustrated in Figs. 5, 9, and 10, both the heat sink support 60
and the heat sink holder 70 support the heat sink 47.
20 [0026]
(Heat Sink Support 60)
Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the heat sink support 60 according to
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the heat sink
support 60 is made of sheet metal, for example. The heat sink support 60 includes a
25 fixing portion 61, a wall portion 62, and an attachment portion 63. The fixing portion
61 is fixed to the substrate holder 43. The wall portion 62 extends from the fixing
portion 61 in the opposite direction to a direction toward the control board 41. The
attachment portion 63 extends from the wall portion 62 in the horizontal direction.
The fixing portion 61 is a frame-shaped member having a support opening portion
30 61a formed at the center of the fixing portion 61. The heat sink 47 is inserted into
13
the support opening portion 61a. When the electric component box 34 is provided at
the upper end of the partition plate 33, the fixing portion 61 is fixed to the substrate
holder 43 to support and fix the electric component box 34.
[0027]
The wall portion 62 partitions along with the partition plate 33 5 the inside of the
outdoor unit 2 into the air supply chamber 25 and the machine chamber 26.
Because of this configuration, at the control board 41, the heat sink 47 is provided in
the air supply chamber 25, and the capacitors 50b are provided in the machine
chamber 26. The attachment portion 63 is a member to which the heat sink holder
10 70 is attached. In a bottom surface of the attachment portion 63, an engagement
hole 63a and a positioning guide hole 63b are formed.
[0028]
(Heat Sink Holder 70)
Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the heat sink holder 70 according to
15 Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the heat
sink holder 70 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure as viewed from
an angle different from the angle from which the heat sink holder 70 is viewed as
illustrated in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a top plan view illustrating the heat sink holder 70
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Figs. 12 to 14,
20 the heat sink holder 70 is made of an insulating resin such as ABS. The heat sink
holder 70 is provided between the heat sink 47 and the heat sink support 60 to
electrically insulate the heat sink 47 and the heat sink support 60 from each other.
This reduces the probability with which electricity will flow between the heat sink 47
and the heat sink support 60, which is made of sheet metal.
25 [0029]
(Frame Portion 71)
The heat sink holder 70 includes a frame portion 71, an extension portion 72, a
flange portion 73, and holding portions 74. The frame portion 71 is a frame-shaped
member that surrounds an outer periphery of the heat sink 47, and that has a holder
30 opening portion 71a formed at the center of the frame portion 71. The frame portion
14
71 includes a fitting wall 71b and protrusion portions 71c. The fitting wall 71b
extends from a periphery of the holder opening portion 71a in the opposite direction to
the direction toward the control board 41. The protrusion portions 71c protrude from
the fitting wall 71b. The fitting wall 71b is fitted into the support opening portion 61a
of the heat 5 sink support 60.
[0030]
The protrusion portions 71c is caught by a periphery of the support opening
portion 61a of the heat sink 47 when the fitting wall 71b is fitted into the support
opening portion 61a. Thus, the fixing portion 61 of the heat sink support 60 and the
10 frame portion 71 of the heat sink holder 70 are fixed to each other. The heat sink 47
is inserted into the holder opening portion 71a. As described above, when the heat
sink 47 is inserted into the support opening portion 61a and the holder opening
portion 71a, the heat sink 47 is exposed to the air supply chamber 25. Accordingly,
the heat sink 47 contacts air sent by the outdoor fan 9, and is thus cooled.
15 [0031]
(Extension Portion 72)
The extension portion 72 is a member that extends between the heat sink 47
and the capacitors 50b and from the frame portion 71 in the opposite direction to the
direction toward the control board 41. The extension portion 72 extends along the
20 wall portion 62 of the heat sink support 60, and is located to face the wall portion 62.
The extension portion 72 extends to a position lower than the lower end of each
capacitor 50b (see Figs. 17 and 18). In Embodiment 1, the frame portion 71 and the
extension portion 72 are formed integral with each other. However, the frame portion
71 and the extension portion 72 may be formed as separate members.
25 [0032]
(Flange Portion 73)
The flange portion 73 is provided at a distal end of the extension portion 72,
and includes a first engagement claw 73a, a second engagement claw 73b, and a
positioning protrusion 73c. The first engagement claw 73a is provided on a bottom
30 surface of the flange portion 73, and is engaged with the engagement hole 63a
15
formed in the attachment portion 63 of the heat sink support 60. The second
engagement claw 73b is provided on the bottom surface of the flange portion 73, and
is engaged with an edge portion of the attachment portion 63 of the heat sink support
60.
5 [0033]
The positioning protrusion 73c is provided in such a manner as to face the
positioning guide hole 63b formed in the attachment portion 63 of the heat sink
support 60. The positioning protrusion 73c is fitted into the positioning guide hole
63b, whereby the heat sink support 60 and the heat sink holder 70 are positioned
10 when assembling. As described above, the first engagement claw 73a is engaged
with the engagement hole 63a, and the second engagement claw 73b is attached to
the edge portion of the attachment portion 63, whereby the attachment portion 63 of
the heat sink support 60 and the flange portion 73 of the heat sink holder 70 are fixed
to each other.
15 [0034]
(Holding Portion 74)
Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating each of the holding portions 74
according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 16 is a top plan view
illustrating each holding portion 74 according to Embodiment 1 of the present
20 disclosure. As illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, the holding portions 74 are members
that protrude from the extension portion 72, and hold the lead wires 42. The holding
portions 74 are molded and formed integral with the extension portion 72. The
holding portions 74 are provided at parts of the extension portion 72 that are located
at lower positions than the lower ends of the capacitors 50b (see Fig. 17 and Fig. 18).
25 In Embodiment 1, the lead wires 42 are collected at three places, and the number of
the holding portions 74 is thus three. However, the number of the holding portions
74 may be appropriately changed depending on the number of the lead wires 42.
[0035]
(Arm Portion 81)
16
Each of the holding portions 74 includes an arm portion 81 and a falling-off
prevention portion 82. The arm portion 81 is a member that protrudes from the
extension portion 72, and bends at a bent portion 81b to provide a space 81a
between the arm portion 81 and the extension portion 72 as a space for holding an
associated one of the lead wires 42. When an external force is 5 applied to the arm
portion 81, the bent portion 81b is warped by an elastic force of the arm portion 81.
As a result, the falling-off prevention portion 82 provided at the distal end side of the
arm portion 81 is separated from the extension portion 72. When no external force
is applied, that is, the falling-off prevention portion 82 is released from the external
10 force, the falling-off prevention portion 82 is returned toward the extension portion 72
by the elastic force.
[0036]
(Falling-Off Prevention Portion 82)
The falling-off prevention portion 82 is a member provided at the distal end of
15 the arm portion 81 to prevent the lead wire 42 falling off the arm portion 81. Between
the falling-off prevention portion 82 and the extension portion 72, an inlet opening 82a
having a width smaller than the thickness of the lead wire 42 is formed. When the
lead wire 42 is inserted into the space 81a, the falling-off prevention portion 82 and
the extension portion 72 are moved in such a manner as to widen the inlet opening
20 82a, and after the lead wire 42 has been inserted into the space 81a, the falling-off
prevention portion 82 and the extension portion 72 return in such a manner as to
narrow the inlet opening 82a. That is, the inlet opening 82a is opened when the
falling-off prevention portion 82 is separated from the extension portion 72 by an
external force, and the inlet opening 82a is closed when the falling-off prevention
25 portion is released from the external force and thus returned toward the extension
portion 72 by the elastic force. The falling-off prevention portion 82 has a guide
portion 83 that is inclined to guide the lead wire 42 to the space 81a when the lead
wire 42 is moved into the space 81a from the outside.
[0037]
17
Next, work of causing the lead wire 42 to be held by the holding portion 74 will
be described. After the heat sink support 60 is attached to the substrate holder 43,
the worker guides the lead wire 42 that is drawn from the control board 41, along the
guide portion 83 of the holding portion 74 and to the inlet opening 82a. After the
lead wire 42 is guided to the inlet opening 82a, the worker pushes 5 the lead wire 42
against the inlet opening 82a. At this time, the bent portion 81b of the arm portion 81
is warped, and the falling-off prevention portion 82 is separated from the extension
portion 72, thereby opening the inlet opening 82a. The worker causes the lead wire
42 to pass through the opened inlet opening 82a and guides the lead wire 42 to the
10 space 81a. When the lead wire 42 reaches the space 81a, the falling-off prevention
portion 82 is released from the external force applied thereto, whereby the falling-off
prevention portion 82 is returned toward the extension portion 72 by the elastic force.
Therefore, the inlet opening 82a is closed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the
probability with which the lead wire 42 will spontaneously fall off the space 81a, as
15 long as the worker does not apply an external force.
[0038]
Fig. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled electric component box
34 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 18 is a sectional view
illustrating the electric component box 34 according to Embodiment 1 of the present
20 disclosure. As illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, the lead wires 42 are drawn to a drawn
portion 90 provided between the capacitors 50b and the extension portion 72, and are
held by the holding portion s74.
[0039]
In Embodiment 1, the heat sink holder 70 that holds the heat sink 47 includes
25 the extension portion 72 and the holding portions 74, and the holding portions 74 hold
the lead wires 42. Therefore, even if the worker pulls a lead wire 42 during, for
example, an assembling work, the lead wire 42 is not moved. Therefore, it is
possible to prevent the lead wires 42 from contacting the capacitor 50b.
Furthermore, the heat sink holder 70 is made of resin, and each of the holding
18
portions 74, which are molded and formed integral with the heat sink holder 70, has
few sharp portions. Thus, the lead wires 42 are not easily damaged.
[0040]
In addition, at the extension portion 72, the holding portions 74 are located at
lower positions than the lower ends of the capacitors 50b. Thus, 5 the lead wires 42
are held by the respective holding portions 74 at the lower positions than the lower
ends of the capacitors 50b, and it is therefore possible to further reduce the
probability that the lead wires 42 will be brought into contact with the capacitors 50b.
The holding portions 74 may be provided at higher positions than the lower ends of
10 the capacitors 50b, as long as the holding portions 74 can prevent the lead wires 42
from being brought into contact with the capacitors 50b.
[0041]
In the case where the lead wires 42 are not held, there is a possibility that for
example, during wiring work of the lead wires 42, a lead wire 42 will be caught by any
15 of the capacitors 50b mounted on the control board 41, and a stress will act on the
lead wire 42. In this case, there is a possibility that a stress will act on the terminal
portion 50c of the capacitor 50b, thus breaking the terminal portion 50c, and the
capacitor 50b will thus fall, thereby causing disconnection. Consequently, electrical
conduction cannot be ensured between the capacitor 50b and the control board 41.
20 In contrast, in Embodiment 1, the holding portions 74 hold the lead wires 42.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the probability with which the lead wires 42 will be
brought into contact with the capacitors 50b. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve
the outdoor unit 2 including the electric component box 34 having a high reliability.
Reference Signs List
25 [0042]
1 air-conditioning apparatus, 2 outdoor unit, 3 indoor unit, 4
refrigerant circuit, 5 refrigerant pipe, 6 compressor, 7 flow switching
device, 8 outdoor heat exchanger, 9 outdoor fan, 10 expansion unit,
11 indoor heat exchanger, 12 indoor fan, 20 housing , 21
30 front panel, 22 side panel, 23 top panel, 24 fan guard, 25 air
19
supply chamber, 26 machine chamber, 30 internal constituent portion, 31
base, 32 motor support portion, 33 partition plate, 34 electric
component box, 41 control board, 41a mounting hole, 42 lead wire,
43 substrate holder, 44 cover, 45 terminal block support, 46 air
guide, 47 heat sink, 47a fin, 50a heat generating 5 element, 50b
capacitor, 50c terminal portion, 60 heat sink support, 61 fixing portion,
61a support opening portion, 62 wall portion, 63 attachment portion,
63a engagement hole, 63b positioning guide hole, 70 heat sink
holder, 71 frame portion, 71a holder opening portion, 71b fitting wall,
10 71c protrusion portion, 72 extension portion, 73 flange portion,
73a first engagement claw, 73b second engagement claw ,
73c positioning protrusion, 74 holding portion, 81 arm portion,
81a space, 81b bent portion, 82 falling-off prevention portion,
82a inlet opening, 83 guide portion, 90 drawn portion
15
20
We Claim :
[Claim 1]
An outdoor unit comprising:
a control board on which a heat generating element and a capacitor are
mounted adjacent 5 to each other;
a lead wire provided between the heat generating element and the capacitor,
and connected to the control board;
a heat sink attached to the heat generating element, and configured to diffuse
heat generated from the heat generating element; and
10 a heat sink holder configured to support the heat sink,
wherein the heat sink holder includes
a frame portion surrounding an outer periphery of the heat sink,
an extension portion provided between the heat sink and the capacitor, and
extending from the frame portion in an opposite direction to a direction toward the
15 control board, and
a holding portion protruding from the extension portion, and configured to hold
the lead wire.
[Claim 2]
The outdoor unit of claim 1, wherein
20 the holding portion includes
an arm portion having elasticity and protruding from the extension portion such
that a space is provided between the arm portion and the extension portion as a
space to hold the lead wire, and
a falling-off prevention portion provided at a distal end of the arm portion such
25 that an inlet opening is provided between the falling-off prevention portion and the
extension portion, and configured to prevent the lead wire from falling off the arm
portion, the inlet opening having a width smaller than a thickness of the lead wire, the
falling-off prevention portion being moved along with the arm portion to widen the inlet
opening, when the lead wire is inserted into the space, the falling-off prevention
21
portion returning along the arm portion to narrow the inlet opening, after the lead wire
has been inserted into the space.
[Claim 3]
The outdoor unit of claim 2, wherein the falling-off prevention portion has a
guide portion inclined to guide the lead 5 wire to the space.
[Claim 4]
The outdoor unit of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at the extension portion,
the holding portion is provided at a lower position than a lower end of the capacitor.
[Claim 5]
10 The outdoor unit of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat sink holder is
made of resin.