FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
OUTDOOR UNIT OF AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 1008310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION
AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

2
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
[0001]
5 The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning
apparatus, the outdoor unit including a rear panel and a top panel.
Background Art
[0002]
Conventionally, there is a known outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus,
10 a housing of the outdoor unit being formed from a plurality of panels. In such an
outdoor unit, a claw-like part provided on the panel is locked to an opening port
formed in another panel or the like, to temporarily fix the panel. Patent Literature 1
discloses an outdoor unit where a locking claw of a side panel is locked to a locking
hole of a rear panel.
15 Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2010-60173
20 Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004]
However, when the outdoor unit disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is exposed to
rain water, moisture may adhere to the locking claw or the locking hole. In general,
25 the housing of the outdoor unit is formed using steel sheets to which rust prevention
treatment is applied to prevent the formation of rust. In such an outdoor unit, the
locking hole, the locking claw, or the like may be obtained by cutting and molding a
rust preventive steel sheet. In this case, rust prevention treatment is not applied to
the cut surface of the locking hole, the locking claw, or the like. Accordingly, in
30 Patent Literature 1, in the case where the locking hole, the locking claw, or the like is

3
a part obtained by cutting and molding a rust preventive steel sheet, when the outdoor
unit is exposed to rain water, there is a possibility that moisture flowing along the
panel or the like adheres to the locking hole or the locking claw, thus allowing rust to
form.
5 [0005]
The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem,
and it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an outdoor unit of an airconditioning apparatus where it is possible to suppress the formation of rust on the
locking hole or the locking claw.
10 Solution to Problem
[0006]
An outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure includes: a housing configured to form an outer shell; and a
heat exchanger provided to extend at a rear portion of the housing from a lower
15 portion toward an upper portion of the housing, wherein the heat exchanger includes
a heat exchanger side plate provided on a side portion and having a side plate
locking hole at an upper portion, and the housing includes a rear panel being a platelike part that forms a rear surface and including an upper rear-surface locking claw at
an upper portion, the upper rear-surface locking claw being inserted into the side
20 plate locking hole, and a top panel being a plate-like part provided on an upper side of
the rear panel and forming a top surface of the housing, the top panel covering the
side plate locking hole and the upper rear-surface locking claw.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007]
25 According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the top panel covers
the side plate locking hole and the upper rear-surface locking claw. Therefore, even
when the outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus is exposed to rain water, the
rain water impinges on the top panel and hence, moisture is prevented from easily
adhering to the side plate locking hole or the upper rear-surface locking claw.
30 Accordingly, in the outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus, it is possible to

4
suppress the formation of rust on the side plate locking hole and the upper rearsurface locking claw.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008]
5 [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air-conditioning apparatus 1
according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a front perspective view showing an outdoor unit 2 according to
Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view showing the outdoor unit 2 according
10 to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view showing the outdoor unit 2 according to
Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger side plate 92
according to Embodiment 1.
15 [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the heat exchanger side plate
92 according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a rear lower panel 34 according to
Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a front locking claw 52
20 according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a rear panel 36 according to
Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the rear panel 36 according to
Embodiment 1.
25 [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a top panel 38 according to
Embodiment 1.
Description of Embodiment
[0009]
Embodiment 1.

5
Hereinafter, an air-conditioning apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be
described with reference to drawings. Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the airconditioning apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the airconditioning apparatus 1 includes an outdoor unit 2, an indoor unit 3, and a refrigerant
5 pipe 4.
[0010]
(Outdoor unit 2, indoor unit 3, refrigerant pipe 4)
The outdoor unit 2 includes a housing 11, a compressor 12, a flow passage
switching device 13, an outdoor heat exchanger 14, outdoor fans 15, an expansion
10 unit 16, and an electric component box 17 (see Fig. 2 for the housing 11). The
indoor unit 3 includes an indoor heat exchanger 18 and an indoor fan 19. The
refrigerant pipe 4 forms a refrigerant circuit by connecting the compressor 12, the flow
passage switching device 13, the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion unit 16,
and the indoor heat exchanger 18 with each other and by allowing refrigerant to flow
15 there through.
[0011]
(Housing 11)
Fig. 2 is a front perspective view showing the outdoor unit 2 according to
Embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a front perspective view showing the outdoor unit 2
20 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view showing the outdoor
unit 2 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the housing 11
forms the outer shell of the outdoor unit 2, and includes a base plate 31, a fan panel
32, a front lower panel 33, a rear lower panel 34, a front panel 35, a rear panel 36, a
fan chamber side panel 37, and a top panel 38. A partition plate 39 is provided in the
25 housing 11.
[0012]
Each of the base plate 31, the fan panel 32, the front lower panel 33, the rear
lower panel 34, the front panel 35, the rear panel 36, the fan chamber side panel 37
and the top panel 38 is a plate-like part obtained by molding, with dies, a steel sheet
30 to which rust prevention treatment is applied, such as a PCM steel sheet. Rust

6
prevention treatment is not necessarily applied to the end surfaces of each part
forming the housing 11. The respective parts forming the housing 11 are fixed by
screws or the like to assemble the housing 11. As will be described later, some parts
forming the housing 11 have claw-like parts. The claw-like part is used for temporary
5 fixing when the housing 11 is assembled. In Embodiment 1, temporary fixing
indicates simply fixing the respective parts without using a tool or the like. With such
an operation, the respective parts can be positioned and hence, the housing 11 can
be easily assembled. Rust prevention treatment is not necessarily applied to each
claw-like part. The partition plate 39 is a plate-like part that divides the inside of the
10 housing 11 into a fan chamber 21 and a machine chamber 22. The fan chamber 21
is a space where the outdoor fans 15 and the like are housed. The machine
chamber 22 is a space where the electric component box 17 and the like are housed.
[0013]
(Compressor 12)
15 The compressor 12 suctions refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure,
compresses the suctioned refrigerant to form refrigerant at high temperature and high
pressure, and then discharges the refrigerant. As shown in Fig. 3, the compressor
12 is accommodated in the machine chamber 22. The compressor 12 may be an
inverter compressor, for example, that is driven by a motor (not shown in the
20 drawing), where frequency is controlled by an inverter (not shown in the drawing).
[0014]
(Flow passage switching device 13)
The flow passage switching device 13 switches a flow direction of refrigerant,
and may be a four-way valve, for example. During a cooling operation, the flow
25 passage switching device 13 connects the discharge side of the compressor 12 with
the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and connects the suction side of the compressor 12
with the indoor heat exchanger 18. During a heating operation, the flow passage
switching device 13 connects the discharge side of the compressor 12 with the indoor
heat exchanger 18, and connects the suction side of the compressor 12 with the
30 outdoor heat exchanger 14. The flow passage switching device 13 is not limited to

7
the four-way valve. The flow passage switching device 13 may be formed such that
a plurality of two-way valves or three-way valves, for example, are combined with
each other to provide a function similar to the function of the four-way valve.
[0015]
5 (Outdoor heat exchanger 14)
The outdoor heat exchanger 14 performs heat exchange between outdoor air
and refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The outdoor heat
exchanger 14 may be a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, for example. The outdoor heat
exchanger 14 serves as a condenser during the cooling operation, and serves as an
10 evaporator during the heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger 14 is provided
to extend at the side portion and the rear portion of the housing 11 from the lower
portion toward the upper portion of the housing 11. Further, the outdoor heat
exchanger 14 expands over the side surface at positions on the side of the fan
chamber 21 and the rear surface of the housing 11. The outdoor heat exchanger 14
15 has an L shape as viewed in a top plan view. The outdoor heat exchanger 14
includes a heat exchanger body 91 and a heat exchanger side plate 92 (see Fig. 5).
The heat exchanger body 91 has an L shape as viewed in a top plan view. The heat
exchanger side plate 92 covers the side portion of the heat exchanger body 91. The
heat exchanger body 91 includes flat tubes (not shown in the drawing) and fins (not
20 shown in the drawing). Refrigerant flows through the flat tubes. The flat tubes are
inserted through the fins to promote heat exchange between outdoor air and
refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes.
[0016]
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the heat exchanger side plate 92
25 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the heat
exchanger side plate 92 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 6 shows the cross section
of the outdoor unit 2 taken along the horizontal direction passing through the heat
exchanger side plate 92. As shown in Fig. 5, the heat exchanger side plate 92
covers the side portion of the heat exchanger body 91, thus forming the side portion
30 of the outdoor heat exchanger 14 at a position on the side of the machine chamber

8
22. The heat exchanger side plate 92 has a U shape that is bent with substantially
right angles as viewed in a top plan view. The heat exchanger side plate 92 has a
side plate locking hole 93 at a position on the side of the rear surface. The side
plate locking hole 93 is an opening port formed at the upper portion of the heat
5 exchanger side plate 92. An upper rear-surface locking claw 61 of the rear panel 36,
which will be described later, is inserted into the side plate locking hole 93. Another
part having an opening port corresponding to the side plate locking hole 93 may be
provided in the housing 11.
[0017]
10 As shown in Fig. 6, the heat exchanger side plate 92 has a side plate end
surface 94. The side plate end surface 94 is an end surface that is provided on the
side end portion of the heat exchanger side plate 92 at a position adjacent to the rear
surface, and that faces in the lateral direction toward the fan chamber 21. The entire
side plate end surface 94 is covered by the rear panel 36. Therefore, even when the
15 housing 11 is exposed to rain water, the rain water impinges on the rear panel 36 and
hence, moisture flowing along the rear panel 36 is prevented from easily adhering to
the side plate end surface 94.
[0018]
(Outdoor fan 15)
20 The outdoor unit 2 includes two outdoor fans 15. Each outdoor fan 15 is a
device that is connected to a motor (not shown in the drawing) and rotates due to the
driving of the motor to send outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 14. As shown
in Fig. 3, the respective outdoor fans 15 are accommodated in the fan chamber 21 in
a state of being arranged in the vertical direction. Note that one or three or more
25 outdoor fans 15 may be used.
[0019]
(Expansion unit 16)
The expansion unit 16 causes refrigerant to expand, thus reducing the pressure
of the refrigerant. The expansion unit 16 may be an electronic expansion valve, for
30 example.

9
[0020]
(Electric component box 17)
A control unit (not shown in the drawing), a power supply (not shown in the
drawing), and the like are accommodated in the electric component box 17. The
5 control unit controls the actions of respective devices accommodated in the outdoor
unit 2. The power supply supplies power to the respective devices accommodated
in the outdoor unit 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the electric component box 17 is
accommodated in the machine chamber 22.
[0021]
10 (Indoor heat exchanger 18)
The indoor heat exchanger 18 performs heat exchange between indoor air and
refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger 18 serves as an evaporator during the
cooling operation, and serves as a condenser during the heating operation.
[0022]
15 (Indoor fan 19)
The indoor fan 19 is a device that sends indoor air to the indoor heat
exchanger 18.
[0023]
Next, the action of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 will be described. First,
20 the cooling operation will be described. Refrigerant is suctioned into and
compressed by the compressor 12, and is then discharged in a gaseous state at high
temperature and high pressure. The discharged refrigerant passes through the flow
passage switching device 13, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The
refrigerant that flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is caused to exchange heat
25 with outdoor air, being a heat medium, thus being condensed. The condensed
refrigerant flows into the expansion unit 16 of each indoor unit 3, and is caused to
expand by the expansion unit 16, thus reducing the pressure of the refrigerant. The
refrigerant reduced in pressure flows into the indoor heat exchanger 18. The
refrigerant that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 18 is caused to exchange heat
30 with indoor air, thus being evaporated. At this point of operation, the indoor air is

10
cooled, so that the room is cooled. Thereafter, the evaporated refrigerant passes
through the flow passage switching device 13, and is then suctioned into the
compressor 12.
[0024]
5 Next, the heating operation will be described. Refrigerant is suctioned into
and compressed by the compressor 12, and is then discharged in a gaseous state at
high temperature and high pressure. The discharged refrigerant passes through the
flow passage switching device 13, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 18 of
each indoor unit 3. The refrigerant that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 18 is
10 caused to exchange heat with indoor air, thus being condensed. At this point of
operation, the indoor air is heated, so that the room is heated. The condensed
refrigerant flows into the expansion unit 16, and is caused to expand by the expansion
unit 16, thus reducing the pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant reduced in
pressure flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant that flows into
15 the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is caused to exchange heat with outdoor air, being a
heat medium, thus being evaporated. Thereafter, the evaporated refrigerant passes
through the flow passage switching device 13, and is then suctioned into the
compressor 12.
[0025]
20 (Base plate 31)
The base plate 31 is a plate-like part forming the bottom surface of the housing
11. The base plate 31 includes a base edge 41 and leg portions 42. The base
edge 41 is the edge portion of the base plate 31, and extends upward. The leg
portions 42 are leg-like parts provided at the lowest portion of the base plate 31 to
25 support the load of the entire outdoor unit 2.
[0026]
(Fan panel 32)
As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the fan panel 32 is a plate-like part that forms the
front surface of the housing 11 at a position on the side of the fan chamber 21. The
30 fan panel 32 has opening ports at portions that face the outdoor fans 15, and air sent

11
by the outdoor fans 15 passes through the opening ports. The fan panel 32 is
connected to the base plate 31. The fan panel 32 includes fan covers 43. Each fan
cover 43 is a part that is provided to cover the opening port for the outdoor fan 15,
and that is formed into a lattice shape.
5 [0027]
(Front lower panel 33)
As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the front lower panel 33 is a plate-like part that
forms the side lower portion of the front surface of the housing 11 at a position on the
side of the machine chamber 22 and that forms, at a position adjacent to the front
10 surface, the lower portion of the side surface at a position on the side of the machine
chamber 22. The front lower panel 33 has an L shape as viewed in a top plan view.
The lower portion of the front lower panel 33 is connected with the base edge 41 of
the base plate 31. The front lower panel 33 includes two front lower locking claws
51. The front lower locking claws 51 are claw-like parts formed at the side portion of
15 the side surface of the front lower panel 33, the side surface being at a position on the
side of the machine chamber 22. When the front lower locking claws 51 are inserted
into the rear lower locking holes 72 of the rear lower panel 34, which will be described
later, thus being locked to the rear lower panel 34, the front lower panel 33 is
temporarily fixed to the rear lower panel 34.
20 [0028]
(Rear lower panel 34)
As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the rear lower panel 34 is a plate-like part that
forms the side lower portion of the rear surface of the housing 11 at a position on the
side of the machine chamber 22 and that forms, at a position adjacent to the rear
25 surface, the lower portion of the side surface at a position on the side of the machine
chamber 22. The rear lower panel 34 has an L shape as viewed in a top plan view.
The lower portion of the rear lower panel 34 is connected with the base edge 41.
[0029]
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the rear lower panel 34 according to
30 Embodiment 1. The rear lower panel 34 includes a rear lower locking claw 71. The

12
rear lower locking claw 71 is a claw-like part formed at the side portion of the rear
lower panel 34 on the rear surface. When the rear lower locking claw 71 is inserted
into a rearward rear-surface locking hole 64 of the rear panel 36, which will be
described later, thus being locked to the rear panel 36, the rear lower panel 34 is
5 temporarily fixed to the rear panel 36. As shown in Fig. 7, the end portion of the rear
lower locking claw 71 is in the machine chamber 22. That is, the end portion of the
rear lower locking claw 71 is covered by the rear panel 36, thus being prevented from
being seen from the outside. Therefore, even when rust is formed at the end portion
of the rear lower locking claw 71, design performance of the rear lower panel 34 is
10 hardly impaired.
[0030]
As shown in Fig. 3, the rear lower panel 34 has two rear lower locking holes 72.
The rear lower locking holes 72 are opening ports formed in the side portion of the
side surface of the rear lower panel 34, the side surface being at a position on the
15 side of the machine chamber 22. The front lower locking claws 51 of the front lower
panel 33 are inserted into the rear lower locking holes 72. The front lower locking
claws 51 are respectively inserted into the rear lower locking holes 72.
[0031]
(Front panel 35)
20 As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the front panel 35 is a plate-like part that forms the
side portion of the front surface of the housing 11 at a position on the side of the
machine chamber 22 and that forms, at a position adjacent to the front surface, the
portion of the side surface at a position on the side of the machine chamber 22. The
front panel 35 has an L shape as viewed in a top plan view. The front panel 35
25 includes two front locking claws 52. The front locking claws 52 are claw-like parts
formed at the side portion of the side surface of the front panel 35, the side surface
being at a position on the side of the machine chamber 22. When the front locking
claws 52 are inserted into forward rear-surface locking holes 63 of the rear panel 36,
which will be described later, thus being locked to the rear panel 36, the front panel 35
30 is temporarily fixed to the rear panel 36.

13
[0032]
Fig. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the front locking claw 52 according to
Embodiment 1. Fig. 8 shows the cross section of the housing 11 taken along the
horizontal direction passing through the front locking claw 52. As shown in Fig. 8,
5 the end portion of the front locking claw 52 is in the machine chamber 22. That is,
the end portion of the front locking claw 52 is covered by the rear panel 36, thus being
prevented from being seen from the outside. Therefore, even when rust is formed at
the end portion of the front locking claw 52, design performance of the front panel 35
is hardly impaired.
10 [0033]
(Rear panel 36)
As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the rear panel 36 is a plate-like part that forms the
side portion of the rear surface of the housing 11 at a position on the side of the
machine chamber 22 and that forms, at a position adjacent to the rear surface, the
15 portion of the side surface at a position on the side of the machine chamber 22. The
rear panel 36 has an L shape as viewed in a top plan view. The lower portion of the
rear surface of the rear panel 36 is connected to the base edge 41.
[0034]
Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the rear panel 36 according to
20 Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 9, the rear panel 36 includes the upper rearsurface locking claw 61. The upper rear-surface locking claw 61 is a claw-like part
formed at the upper portion of the rear surface of the rear panel 36. When the upper
rear-surface locking claw 61 is inserted into the side plate locking hole 93, thus being
locked to the heat exchanger side plate 92, the rear panel 36 is temporarily fixed to
25 the heat exchanger side plate 92. Further, when a rear-surface upper screw 66 (see
Fig. 11) is fastened at the upper portion of the rear surface, the rear panel 36 is fixed
to the heat exchanger side plate 92.
[0035]
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the rear panel 36 according to
30 Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 10, the rear panel 36 includes a lower rear-surface

14
locking claw 62. The lower rear-surface locking claw 62 is a claw-like part formed on
the rear surface of the rear panel 36 at the side lower portion at a portion on the side
of the machine chamber 22. When the lower rear-surface locking claw 62 is locked
to the end surface of the rear lower panel 34, the lower rear-surface locking claw 62 is
5 fixed to the rear lower panel 34. That is, the end portion of the lower rear-surface
locking claw 62 is covered by the rear lower panel 34, thus being prevented from
being seen from the outside. Therefore, even when rust is formed at the end portion
of the lower rear-surface locking claw 62, design performance of the rear panel 36 is
hardly impaired. Further, when a rear-surface lower screw 67 (see Fig. 7) is
10 fastened at the lower portion of the rear surface, the rear panel 36 is fixed to the heat
exchanger side plate 92.
[0036]
As shown in Fig. 3, the rear panel 36 has two forward rear-surface locking
holes 63. The forward rear-surface locking holes 63 are opening ports formed in the
15 side portion of the side surface of the rear panel 36, the side surface being at a
position on the side of the machine chamber 22. The front locking claws 52 of the
front panel 35 are inserted into the forward rear-surface locking holes 63. The front
locking claws 52 are respectively inserted into the forward rear-surface locking holes
63.
20 [0037]
As shown in Fig. 10, the rear panel 36 has the rearward rear-surface locking
hole 64. The rearward rear-surface locking hole 64 is an opening port formed in the
rear surface of the rear panel 36 at the side lower portion at a position on the side of
the machine chamber 22. The rear lower locking claw 71 of the rear lower panel 34
25 is inserted into the rearward rear-surface locking hole 64.
[0038]
As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 9, the rear panel 36 has a rear panel end surface
65. The rear panel end surface 65 is the end surface of the side edge portion of the
rear panel 36, the side edge portion being at a position on the side of the fan chamber
30 21. The rear panel end surface 65 faces toward the inside of the housing 11.

15
Therefore, the rear panel end surface 65 is prevented from being easily seen when
viewed from the rear. Accordingly, even when rust is formed on the rear panel end
surface 65, design performance of the rear panel 36 is hardly impaired.
[0039]
5 (Fan chamber side panel 37)
As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the fan chamber side panel 37 is a plate-like part
that forms the side surface of the housing 11 at a position on the side of the fan
chamber 21. The fan chamber side panel 37 has a plurality of opening ports (not
shown in the drawing).
10 [0040]
(Top panel 38)
Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the top panel 38 according to
Embodiment 1. The top panel 38 is a plate-like part provided on the upper side of
the rear panel 36 and forming the top surface of the housing 11. The top panel 38
15 includes a top surface edge 81. The top surface edge 81 is the edge portion of the
top panel 38, and extends downward. The top surface edge 81 covers the upper
rear-surface locking claw 61 and the side plate locking hole 93. Therefore, rain
water or the like is prevented from easily adhering to the upper rear-surface locking
claw 61 and the side plate locking hole 93.
20 [0041]
In Embodiment 1, the top panel 38 covers the side plate locking hole 93 and
the upper rear-surface locking claw 61. Therefore, even when the outdoor unit 2 of
the air-conditioning apparatus 1 is exposed to rain water, the rain water impinges on
the top panel 38 and hence, moisture is prevented from easily adhering to the side
25 plate locking hole 93 and the upper rear-surface locking claw 61. Accordingly, in the
outdoor unit 2 of the air-conditioning apparatus 1, it is possible to suppress the
formation of rust on the side plate locking hole 93 and the upper rear-surface locking
claw 61.
[0042]

16
Further, the formation of rust on the side plate locking hole 93 and the upper
rear-surface locking claw 61 is suppressed and hence, a pipe (not shown in the
drawing) in the housing 11 is not easily corroded due to rust advancing from the side
plate locking hole 93 and the upper rear-surface locking claw 61.
5 [0043]
In Embodiment 1, the entire side plate end surface 94 is covered by the rear
panel 36. Therefore, even when the housing 11 is exposed to rain water, moisture
flowing along the rear panel 36 is prevented from easily adhering to the side plate end
surface 94. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the formation of rust on the side
10 plate end surface 94.
[0044]
In Embodiment 1, the rear panel end surface 65 faces toward the inside of the
housing 11. Therefore, the rear panel end surface 65 is prevented from being easily
seen when viewed from the rear. Accordingly, even when rust is formed on the rear
15 panel end surface 65, design performance of the rear panel 36 is hardly impaired.
[0045]
In Embodiment 1, the housing 11 is formed using a steel sheet to which rust
prevention treatment is applied. Therefore, by suppressing adhesion of rain water to
the end surfaces of the respective parts forming the housing 11 and to the claw-like
20 parts used for temporary fixing, for example, it is also possible to suppress the
formation of rust across the entire housing 11. Further, the end surfaces of the
respective parts forming the housing 11 and the claw-like parts used for temporary
fixing are covered by another part and hence, even when rust is formed, the rust is
prevented from being easily seen by a user. Accordingly, the outdoor unit 2 of the
25 air-conditioning apparatus 1 can maintain design performance.
Reference Signs List
[0046]
1: air-conditioning apparatus, 2: outdoor unit, 3: indoor unit, 4: refrigerant pipe,
11: housing, 12: compressor, 13: flow passage switching device, 14: outdoor heat
30 exchanger, 15: outdoor fan, 16: expansion unit, 17: electric component box, 18:

17
indoor heat exchanger, 19: indoor fan, 21: fan chamber, 22: machine chamber, 31:
base plate, 32: fan panel, 33: front lower panel, 34: rear lower panel, 35: front panel,
36: rear panel, 37: fan chamber side panel, 38: top panel, 39: partition plate, 41: base
edge, 42: leg portion, 43: fan cover, 51: front lower locking claw, 52: front locking
5 claw, 61: upper rear-surface locking claw, 62: lower rear-surface locking claw, 63:
forward rear-surface locking hole, 64: rearward rear-surface locking hole, 65: rear
panel end surface, 66: rear-surface upper screw, 67: rear-surface lower screw, 71:
rear lower locking claw, 72: rear lower locking hole, 81: top surface edge, 91: heat
exchanger body, 92: heat exchanger side plate, 93: side plate locking hole, 94: side
10 plate end surface

18
We CLAIM:
[Claim 1]
5 An outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, the outdoor unit comprising:
a housing configured to form an outer shell; and
a heat exchanger provided to extend at a rear portion of the housing from a
lower portion toward an upper portion of the housing, wherein
the heat exchanger includes
10 a heat exchanger side plate provided on a side portion and having a side plate
locking hole at an upper portion, and
the housing includes
a rear panel being a plate-like part that forms a rear surface and including an
upper rear-surface locking claw at an upper portion, the upper rear-surface locking
15 claw being inserted into the side plate locking hole, and
a top panel being a plate-like part provided on an upper side of the rear panel
and forming a top surface of the housing, the top panel covering the side plate locking
hole and the upper rear-surface locking claw.
[Claim 2]
20 The outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the rear panel covers an end surface of a side end portion of the heat
exchanger side plate.
[Claim 3]
The outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
25 an end surface of an edge portion of the rear panel faces an inside of the
housing.
30

19
[Claim 4]
The outdoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein
rust prevention treatment is applied to the housing and the heat exchanger side
5 plate.