FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
OUTDOOR UNIT FOR 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 100-8310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION
AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
2
DESCRIPTION
5 Technical Field
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus
that has a fan.
Background Art
10 [0002]
An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus has a casing in which a fan is
installed that drives and thus causes outdoor air to pass through an opening hole
opened in a side panel of the casing and to then circulate. To the casing, an outlet
grille or a fan guard, hereinafter, referred to as an outlet grille and other barrier, is
15 attached to cover the opening hole for safety. While the air-conditioning apparatus is
operating, drops of water on the surface of the side panel, which are caused by rain,
snow, or other factor, flow down along the surface of a front panel. Also, snow
accumulated on a top plate melts into drops of water, which then flow down along the
surfaces of the top plate and the side panel. As described above, drops of water flow
20 down along the casing and, when the drops of water reach the opening hole, flow
through between the fan and the edge of the opening hole. In a case in which the
outdoor air temperature is low, the drops of water flowing through between the fan and
the edge of the opening hole freeze into ice. Then, in a case in which the amount of
the drops of water flowing through between the fan and the edge of the opening hole is
25 large, the resultant ice may interfere with a rotation of the fan.
[0003]
To solve this problem, an outdoor unit has been proposed in which a bracket part
that serves as a roof part is attached to above an opening hole and above an outlet
grille and other barrier, which is also referred as a fan guard, to prevent drops of water
30 that flow down along the surface of a side panel from flowing through the inside of the
3
edge of the opening hole (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
5 Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2012-102971
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
10 A configuration is described in Patent Literature 1 in which a bracket part has a
plate portion and a leg portion in which a through-hole is opened and the bracket part is
attached to a casing by a screw that passes through the through-hole in the leg portion
and a through-hole in a fan guard. For this reason, for an outdoor unit described in
Patent Literature 1, it is complicated to attach the bracket part, which serves as the roof
15 part, to the casing because the position of the through-hole in the bracket part and the
position of the through-hole in the fan guard are required to correspond to a fixed
position for the casing.
[0006]
The present disclosure is made to solve such a problem described above, and an
20 object of the present disclosure is to provide an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning
apparatus that requires easer work than does some outdoor unit in prevention of water
from flowing through between the fan and the edge of the opening hole.
Solution to Problem
[0007]
25 An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure has a casing that has a front panel in which an opening hole is
opened, a fan provided to the casing and configured to blow out air to an outside
through the opening hole, a roof part installed at a front of the front panel and above the
opening hole and extending in a width direction of the casing, and an outlet grille fixed
30 to the casing and covering the opening hole. The roof part has a main roof portion that
4
extends further forward than the front panel, and a sub-roof portion that extends
downward and forward from the main roof portion and has a recession formed between
a bottom face of the main roof portion and the sub-roof portion. The outlet grille is
located such that an upper end portion of the outlet grille is in contact with the
5 recession. The front panel and the upper end portion of the outlet grille hold the roof
part such that the front panel and the upper end portion of the outlet grille sandwich the
roof part.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0008]
10 In an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure, in a state in which the outlet grille is fixed to the casing, the
roof part is installed above the opening hole in the front panel such that the roof part is
sandwiched by the front panel and the upper end portion of the outlet grille, which is in
contact with a portion of the roof part located between the main roof portion and the
15 sub-roof portion. Unlike some outdoor unit in which the position of the through-hole in
the roof part and the position of the through-hole in the fan guard are required to
correspond to a fixed position for the casing, positioning with such high accuracy is thus
not required. An outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
therefore requires easer work than does some outdoor unit in prevention of water from
20 flowing through between the fan and the edge of the opening hole.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0009]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view that illustrates an outdoor unit according
to Embodiment 1.
25 [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates the outdoor unit
illustrated in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a front view that illustrates the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a sectional view that illustrates the outdoor unit taken along line II illustrated in Fig. 3.
30 [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view that illustrates a roof part of the outdoor unit
5
illustrated in Fig. 2, and the roof part is viewed from the front right.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view that illustrates the roof part of the outdoor unit
illustrated in Fig. 2, and the roof part is viewed from above.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view that illustrates a schematic configuration of
5 the roof part illustrated in Fig. 6, and the roof part is viewed in the direction of an arrow A
illustrated in Fig. 6.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a side view that illustrates the schematic configuration of the roof
part illustrated in Fig. 6, and the roof part is viewed in the direction of an arrow B
illustrated in Fig. 6.
10 [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a perspective view that illustrates a schematic configuration of an
outlet grille of the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 2.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates a state before the
outlet grille and the roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1 are assembled with
each other.
15 [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a state after the outlet grille
and the roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1 are assembled with each other,
and the outlet grille and the roof part are viewed in the direction of an arrow C illustrated
in Fig. 10.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a perspective view that illustrates a positional relation between
20 a front panel and the outlet grille in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a sectional view that illustrates the outdoor unit taken along
line III-III illustrated in Fig. 3 in a state after the front panel and the outlet grille illustrated
in Fig. 12 are attached.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a sectional view that illustrates the outdoor unit taken along
25 line II-II illustrated in Fig. 3.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a partially-enlarged view that illustrates a positional relation
between a top plate, the outlet grille, and the roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in
Fig. 14.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a partially-enlarged view that illustrates a positional relation
30 between the front panel and the roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 3.
6
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a perspective view that illustrates a modification of the roof part
according to Embodiment 1.
Description of Embodiment
[0010]
5 Embodiment 1
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view that illustrates an outdoor unit according to
Embodiment 1. An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, hereinafter, referred
to as an outdoor unit 100, is connected to an unillustrated indoor unit by a connection
pipe and thus forms a refrigeration cycle. Hereinafter, the outdoor unit 100 is
10 described with reference to the drawings and with an example case in which the
outdoor unit 100 is installed on the floor of air-conditioning target space. In the
drawings, the direction of an arrow X indicates a width direction of the outdoor unit 100,
the direction of an arrow Y indicates a front-rear direction of the outdoor unit 100, and
the direction of an arrow Z indicates a height direction of the outdoor unit 100.
15 [0011]
The present disclosure is not limited to any forms illustrated in the drawings
described below. Further, in following description, directional terms, such as "upper",
"lower", "right", "left", "front", and "rear", used as appropriate for ease of comprehension
are merely for explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited by such directional
20 terms. These directional terms are each referred to as a direction in a case in which
the outdoor unit 100 is viewed from the front unless other specific description is
provided. Further, elements given identical reference signs in each drawing are
identical or equivalent elements, and these reference signs are common throughout the
whole description of the specification.
25 [0012]
The outdoor unit 100 has a casing 100a, which is a shell of the outdoor unit 100.
The casing 100a includes a front panel 1, side panels 2, a top plate 3, and a base 4.
The side panels 2 each serve as a side face of the casing 100a, the front panel 1 serves
as the front face of the casing 100a, the top plate 3 serves as the top face of the casing
30 100a, and the base 4 serves as the bottom face of the casing 100a. The front panel 1
7
has an opening hole 1a, which is substantially circular-shaped, passes through the
inside and the outside of the casing 100a, and serves as an air outlet.
[0013]
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates the outdoor unit illustrated
5 in Fig. 1. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the outdoor unit 100 has an outlet grille 6 and a roof
part 7. The outlet grille 6 prevents the fingers of people from entering the opening hole
1a. The roof part 7 prevents water caused by rain, snow, or other factor from flowing
through the opening hole 1a. The outlet grille 6 includes a plurality of iron bars or other
parts and is located at the front of the front panel 1 such that the outlet grille 6 covers
10 the opening hole 1a. The roof part 7 includes a metal sheet or other part that extends
in the width direction of the outdoor unit 100, which is also referred to as the direction of
the arrow X. The roof part 7 is located at the front of the front panel 1 and above the
opening hole 1a.
[0014]
15 The front panel 1 has a bell mouth 1b, which protrudes from the edge of the
opening hole 1a in the front panel 1 rearward and toward the center of the opening hole
1a. The front panel 1 also has screw holes 1c and insertion holes 11, which are
opened around the outer circumference of the opening hole 1a and through which the
outlet grille 6 is attached. The screw holes 1c are opened at the respective left and
20 right portions below the outer circumference of the opening hole 1a in the front panel 1.
The insertion holes 11 are opened at the respective left and right portions above the
outer circumference.
[0015]
The outlet grille 6 has grille extension portions 62 and fixation portions 63. The
25 grille extension portions 62 are located at upper portions of the outlet grille 6 and extend
upward. The fixation portions 63 are located at lower portions of the outlet grille 6 and
have respective screw holes 63a. The grille extension portions 62 of the outlet grille 6
are inserted into the insertion holes 11 in the front panel 1, fixing screws 9 are fixed to
the front panel 1 through the screw holes 63a of the fixation portions 63 of the outlet
30 grille 6 and the screw holes 1c in the front panel 1, and the outlet grille 6 is thus fixed to
8
the front panel 1.
[0016]
Fig. 3 is a front view that illustrates the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is
a sectional view that illustrates the outdoor unit taken along line I-I illustrated in Fig. 3.
5 An internal configuration of the outdoor unit 100 is described below with reference to
Fig. 2 and Fig. 4.
[0017]
The outdoor unit 100 also has other components such as a compressor 16, a
heat exchanger 13, an air-sending device 15, and a controller 8. The compressor 16
10 compresses refrigerant. The heat exchanger 13 allows refrigerant and air to exchange
heat with each other. The air-sending device 15 sends air to the heat exchanger 13.
In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the outdoor unit 100 also has a partition plate 10 and
a support portion 14. The partition plate 10 partitions the inside of the casing 100a into
two spaces. The support portion 14 supports the air-sending device 15.
15 [0018]
The compressor 16 sucks refrigerant, compresses the refrigerant into high
temperature and high pressure. The compressor 16 is, for example, an inverter
compressor that has a controllable capacity. The heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a
fin-and-tube heat exchanger. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the air-sending device 15 has a
20 fan 15a, which has a plurality of blades, and a motor 15b, which rotates and thus drives
the fan 15a. The air-sending device 15 generates, by a rotation of the fan 15a, an
airflow that passes through the heat exchanger 13. The support portion 14 is attached
to the base 4 and the heat exchanger 13. The support portion 14 supports the motor
15b such that the rotational face of the fan 15a faces the opening hole 1a in the front
25 panel 1 in the height direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow Z,
and the width direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow X. In an
example illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the air-sending device 15 is installed at the left
inside the casing 100a by use of the support portion 14 and the compressor 16 is
installed at the right inside the casing 100a.
30 [0019]
9
In the example illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the heat exchanger 13 is L-shaped
in plan view and serves as the left portion of the rear face of the casing 100a and the
rear portion of the left side face of the casing 100a. Also in the example illustrated in
Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, a side panel 2a of the side panels 2 on the right serves as the right
5 face of the casing 100a and the right portion of the rear face of the casing 100a. On
the other hand, a side panel 2b of the side panels 2 on the left serves as the left face of
the casing 100a. The side panel 2b on the left has a plurality of opening ports.
[0020]
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the controller 8 includes components such as a plurality of
10 electric parts and controls the refrigeration cycle. Specifically, the controller 8 controls
the frequency of the compressor 16 and the rotation frequency of the air-sending device
15. The compressor 16 is fixed to the base 4 and the controller 8 is located above the
compressor 16.
[0021]
15 As illustrated in Fig. 4, the partition plate 10 is installed on the base 4 of the
casing 100a and partitions the inside of the casing 100a into a machine chamber M and
an air-sending chamber F. The machine chamber M houses components such as the
compressor 16 and the air-sending chamber F houses components such as the airsending device 15. In the machine chamber M, components such as an unillustrated
20 refrigerant pipe and the controller 8 illustrated in Fig. 2 are provided. In the air-sending
chamber F, components such as the heat exchanger 13 and the support portion 14 are
located.
[0022]
When the air-sending device 15 is driven and the fan 15a thus rotates, air is
25 sucked into the casing 100a through the plurality of opening ports opened in the side
panel 2b and the heat exchanger 13 and guided out from the opening hole 1a along the
bell mouth 1b formed in the front panel 1.
[0023]
Fig. 5 is a perspective view that illustrates the roof part of the outdoor unit
30 illustrated in Fig. 2, and the roof part is viewed from the front right. Fig. 6 is a
10
perspective view that illustrates the roof part of the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 2, and
the roof part is viewed from above. Fig. 7 is a perspective view that illustrates a
schematic configuration of the roof part illustrated in Fig. 6, and the roof part is viewed
in the direction of an arrow A illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a side view that illustrates
5 the schematic configuration of the roof part illustrated in Fig. 6, and the roof part is
viewed in the direction of an arrow B illustrated in Fig. 6. The structure of the roof part
7 is described below with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 8.
[0024]
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the roof part 7 has a main roof portion 71 and a sub-roof
10 portion 72. The main roof portion 71 is belt-shaped. The sub-roof portion 72 is
located below the main roof portion 71. As illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the main roof
portion 71 has the horizontal width, which is larger than or equal to a diameter Do,
which is illustrated in Fig. 2, of the opening hole 1a in the front panel 1. The roof part 7
is installed in the front panel 1 such that the longitudinal direction of the roof part 7
15 coincides with the width direction of the casing 100a, which is also referred to as the
direction of the arrow X. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the roof part 7 may be
also referred to as a horizontal width direction.
[0025]
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the sub-roof portion 72 extends downward and forward
20 from the main roof portion 71. The sub-roof portion 72 forms, together with a bottom
face 71b of the main roof portion 71 illustrated in Fig. 8, recessions 7a. In Embodiment
1, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the sub-roof portion 72 has a configuration in which the subroof portion 72 extends downward and forward from a tail end 71e of the main roof
portion 71. The configuration described above in which the sub-roof portion 72
25 extends downward and forward from the main roof portion 71 is, more specifically, as
illustrated in Fig. 8, a configuration in which the sub-roof portion 72 is inclined from the
main roof portion 71 such that the sub-roof portion 72 is further away from the bottom
face 71b of the main roof portion 71 further toward an distal end of the sub-roof portion
72. The sub-roof portion 72 is only required to be located such that the recessions 7a
30 are formed between the bottom face 71b of the main roof portion 71 and the sub-roof
11
portion 72. The sub-roof portion 72 may be located between a front end 71f and the
tail end 71e in the bottom face 71b of the main roof portion 71.
[0026]
In an example illustrated in Fig. 5, the sub-roof portion 72 are three protrusions
5 provided in the longitudinal direction of the main roof portion 71, which is also referred
to as the direction of the arrow X. A first protrusion 72b is provided to the central
portion in the longitudinal direction of the main roof portion 71, which is also referred to
as the direction of the arrow X. Second protrusions 72a are provided at both
respective sides of the central portion of the main roof portion 71. The numbers of
10 protrusions in the sub-roof portion 72 is not limited to three. For example, the sub-roof
portion 72 may be one first protrusion 72b, two second protrusions 72a, or four or more
protrusions.
[0027]
The roof part 7 also has extension ribs 73 and a front-end protrusion 74. The
15 extension ribs 73 each extend from the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71. The
front-end protrusion 74 is located at the front end 71f of the main roof portion 71 and is
shaped such that the front-end protrusion 74 protrudes upward. The roof part 7 also
has tail-end protrusions 75 provided at the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71 and
shaped such that the tail-end protrusions 75 each protrude downward.
20 [0028]
The extension ribs 73 are each located such that the extension ribs 73 are each
continuous with the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71 and the top face of each of
the extension ribs 73 and a top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 form a continuous
flat surface. In the example illustrated in Fig. 5, the extension ribs 73 are located at
25 two respective left and right portions of the main roof portion 71 such that the extension
ribs 73 correspond to the respective locations of the second protrusions 72a. Between
the extension ribs 73, a gap is left. The extension ribs 73 each has a distal end
portion, which is curved-shaped such that the distal end portion is narrower in shape as
the distal end portion is further away from the main roof portion 71. The number of the
30 extension ribs 73 and the positions in which the extension ribs 73 are located are not
12
limited to those described above.
[0029]
The front-end protrusion 74 is located such that the front-end protrusion 74 has
substantially the same length as the main roof portion 71 in the longitudinal direction of
5 the roof part 7, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow X. The tail-end
protrusions 75 are preferably located such that, as illustrated in Fig. 7, in the longitudinal
direction of the main roof portion 71, which is also referred to as the direction of the
arrow X, no tail-end protrusion 75 is provided at the central portion at which the first
protrusion 72b is located and the tail-end protrusions 75 are located at respective left
10 and right sides of the central portion. The tail-end protrusions 75 are each located as
described above and the minimum possible space is thus required at a portion in which
the roof part 7 is installed above the uppermost portion of the opening hole 1a in the
front panel 1 illustrated in Fig. 1. The tail-end protrusions 75 may also be omitted.
[0030]
15 The roof part 7 also has, as illustrated in Fig. 7, notches 7b and regulation ribs
76. The notches 7b are located at respective left and right portions in the longitudinal
direction of the main roof portion 71, which is also referred to as the direction of the
arrow X. The regulation ribs 76 are located in the bottom face 71b of the main roof
portion 71 and at portions next to the respective outside edges of the notches 7b. The
20 notches 7b are each provided by cutting the corresponding one of the tail-end
protrusions 75 and the tail end of the main roof portion 71. To the notches 7b, the grille
extension portions 62 illustrated in Fig. 2 are attached. The notches 7b and the
regulation ribs 76 are used to position the roof part 7 and the outlet grille 6 illustrated in
Fig. 2, which are being assembled with each other, in fixed positions. The grille
25 extension portions 62 are regulated in movement in their longitudinal direction and in
their forward direction by the inner walls of the notches 7b. The grille extension
portions 62 are also regulated in outward movement in their longitudinal direction by the
regulation ribs 76.
[0031]
30 Fig. 9 is a perspective view that illustrates a schematic configuration of the outlet
13
grille of the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 2. The structure of the outlet grille 6 is
described below with reference to Fig. 9. The grille extension portions 62 described
above are located at upper portions of the outlet grille 6 and extend rearward. The
fixation portions 63 described above are located at lower portions of the outlet grille 6.
5 [0032]
The outlet grille 6 is a plurality of iron bars 60, such as a plurality of vertical bars
60a and a plurality of horizontal bars 60b. The plurality of vertical bars 60a are
arranged in the horizontal direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the
arrow X. The plurality of horizontal bars 60b intersect the plurality of vertical bars 60a
10 and are arranged in the vertical direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the
arrow Z. The plurality of vertical bars 60a and the plurality of horizontal bars 60b are
joined with each other by welding or other method. The outlet grille 6 also has a grille
body 61 obtained by joining the plurality of iron bars 60 with each other such that the
grille body 61 is, for example, grid-shaped. The grille extension portions 62 described
15 above are located at respective left and right upper ends of the grille body 61. The
fixation portions 63 described above are located at respective left and right lower ends
of the grille body 61.
[0033]
The grille body 61 is square-shaped as a whole. The plurality of vertical bars
20 60a each have the upper end and the lower end, which are each bent rearward. The
plurality of horizontal bars 60b each have the left end and the right end, which are also
each bent rearward. In following description, the upper end of the grille body 61, which
are the upper ends of the plurality of vertical bars 60a, may be also referred to as an
upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6. The upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille
25 6 extends rearward and upward.
[0034]
The grille extension portions 62 each extend further rearward than the upper end
portion 6a of the grille body 61. As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the outlet grille 6 is
attached to the front panel 1, the grille extension portions 62 are inserted into the
30 respective insertion holes 11 in the front panel 1 and are hung on the front panel 1. As
14
illustrated in Fig. 9, the grille extension portions 62 are each, for example, one of the
upper ends of the plurality of iron bars 60 included as the grille body 61. The grille
extension portions 62 each have a proximal portion 62a and an insertion distal portion
62b. The proximal portions 62a each extend rearward and upward from the upper end
5 portion 6a of the grille body 61. The insertion distal portions 62b are each located at
the rear end of the corresponding one of the proximal portions 62a and extend upward.
[0035]
The fixation portions 63 located at a lower portion of the grille body 61 are each
located further rearward than the lower end of the grille body 61. The fixation portions
10 63 are each located further forward than the insertion distal portions 62b of the grille
extension portions 62 in the front-rear direction, which is also referred to as the direction
of the arrow Y. The fixation portions 63 are each, for example, one of the lower ends of
the plurality of iron bars 60 included as the grille body 61. The screw holes 63a are
each obtained by bending the one of the lower ends of the plurality of iron bars 60 into a
15 circular shape.
[0036]
Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates a state before the outlet
grille and the roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1 are assembled with each
other. Fig. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a state after the outlet grille and the
20 roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1 are assembled with each other, and the
outlet grille and the roof part are viewed in the direction of an arrow C illustrated in Fig.
10. Before the outlet grille 6 is attached to the outdoor unit 100 as illustrated in Fig. 1,
the outlet grille 6 and the roof part 7 are assembled with each other as illustrated in Fig.
10. A procedure to assemble the outlet grille 6 and the roof part 7 with each other is
25 described below with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11.
[0037]
Into the notches 7b cut in the roof part 7, the respective grille extension portions
62 of the outlet grille 6 are inserted from below. In a state in which the grille extension
portions 62 are inserted into the respective notches 7b, the roof part 7 is attached to the
30 outlet grille 6 in an attachment direction indicated by a white arrow illustrated in Fig. 10.
15
At this time, the upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6 is fitted into the recessions 7a
formed between the main roof portion 71 and the sub-roof portion 72 illustrated in Fig. 7.
With this procedure, the upper ends of the plurality of vertical bars 60a that are the
upper end portion 6a of the grille body 61 are held such that the upper ends of the
5 plurality of vertical bars 60a are sandwiched by the main roof portion 71 and the
protrusions that are the sub-roof portion 72, which are the first protrusion 72b and the
second protrusions 72a.
[0038]
When the roof part 7 is attached to the outlet grille 6, the grille extension portions
10 62 are in contact with the two respective notches 7b and the two respective regulation
ribs 76 located in the roof part 7, and the roof part 7 is thus prevented from moving from
the outlet grille 6 in the left-right direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the
arrow X. With this procedure, the roof part 7 is attached to the outlet grille 6 in a
predetermined position in the horizontal direction.
15 [0039]
Fig. 12 is a perspective view that illustrates a positional relation between the front
panel and the outlet grille in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a sectional
view that illustrates the outdoor unit taken along line III-III illustrated in Fig. 3 in a state
after the front panel and the outlet grille illustrated in Fig. 12 are attached.
20 [0040]
As illustrated in Fig. 12, the insertion holes 11 are each substantially U-shaped.
As illustrated in Fig. 13, the front panel 1 has insertion spaces 12 above the insertion
holes 11 and further inside than the insertion holes 11, in which the insertion distal
portions 62b of the grille extension portions 62 are located. The insertion spaces 12
25 communicate with the respective insertion holes 11. Rear walls 11a of the insertion
holes 11 are connected to respective rear walls 12a of the insertion spaces 12. The
rear walls 11a of the insertion holes 11 and the rear walls 12a of the insertion spaces 12
are substantially parallel to the surface of the front panel 1. Side walls 11b, which
connect the surface of the front panel 1 and the rear walls 11a of the insertion holes 11,
30 are located at lower portions of the insertion holes 11. The side walls 11b are each
16
taper-shaped such that the side wall 11b is further inclined upward as the side wall 11b
is further rearward. The side walls 11b at the lower portions of the insertion holes 11,
the rear walls 11a of the insertion holes 11, and the rear walls 12a of the insertion
spaces 12 are used to guide the grille extension portions 62 inserted into the insertion
5 holes 11 to the insertion spaces 12.
[0041]
Fig. 14 is a sectional view that illustrates the outdoor unit taken along line II-II
illustrated in Fig. 3. A procedure to attach the outlet grille 6 to the front panel 1 is
described below with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the
10 insertion distal portions 62b of the grille extension portions 62 are inserted into the
insertion holes 11, which are opened at portions above the outer circumference of the
opening hole 1a in the front panel 1, and the insertion distal portions 62b are thus
located in the insertion spaces 12 in the front panel 1. With this procedure, the grille
extension portions 62 are hung on the front panel 1. When the insertion distal portions
15 62b are inserted into the insertion holes 11, the insertion distal portions 62b are guided
to the insertion spaces 12, which are located above the insertion holes 11 and further
inside than the insertion holes 11, while the angles of the insertion distal portions 62b
are being changed by the side walls 11b and the rear walls 11a of the insertion holes 11
and the rear walls 12a of the insertion spaces 12. The insertion distal portions 62b are
20 thus located in the insertion spaces 12 such that the insertion distal portions 62b are
substantially parallel to the surface of the front panel 1.
[0042]
While the insertion distal portions 62b are being inserted from the insertion holes
11 to the further inside, the angle of the outlet grille 6 to the front panel 1 is changed.
25 As illustrated in Fig. 14, the lower portion of the outlet grille 6 thus moves closer to the
front panel 1. As illustrated in Fig. 13, when the insertion distal portions 62b of the
grille extension portions 62 are fully inserted into the insertion holes 11, the proximal
portions 62a of the grille extension portions 62 are in contact with edge portions 11c of
the insertion holes 11 and the insertion distal portions 62b stops moving upward. In
30 this state, the front panel 1 and the outlet grille 6 are positioned. When the front panel
17
1 and the outlet grille 6 are positioned, as illustrated in Fig. 14, the screw holes 63a
located at the fixation portions 63 of the outlet grille 6, which are illustrated in Fig. 9, and
the screw holes 1c in the front panel 1, which are illustrated in Fig. 2, coincide with each
other in the front-rear direction of the casing 100a, which is also referred to as the
5 direction of the arrow Y. The fixing screws 9 are inserted and fixed into the screw
holes 63a of the fixation portions 63 and the screw holes 1c in the front panel 1, and the
outlet grille 6 is thus fixed to the front panel 1.
[0043]
Fig. 15 is a partially-enlarged view that illustrates a positional relation between
10 the top plate, the outlet grille, and the roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 14.
The outlet grille 6 is fixed to the front panel 1 as illustrated in Fig. 14, the roof part 7
attached to the outlet grille 6 is thus sandwiched by the front panel 1 and the outlet grille
6 and the roof part 7 is hence fixed to the front panel 1 as illustrated in Fig. 15. In a
state in which the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the front panel 1, the main roof portion 71 is
15 inclined downward along the upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6, which are bent.
Also in this state, the main roof portion 71 is located such that the main roof portion 71
is inclined further downward as the main roof portion 71 is further away from the front
panel 1.
[0044]
20 Specifically, when the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the front panel 1, the grille
extension portions 62 are supported by the front panel 1 and force is applied rearward
to the roof part 7 from the upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6 through the
recessions 7a. This force thus presses the extension ribs 73, which are located at
portions of the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71, against the front panel 1. At the
25 same time, a stress is applied forward to the extension ribs 73 from the front panel 1.
In other words, when the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the front panel 1, the roof part 7 is held
such that the roof part 7 is sandwiched by the front panel 1 and the outlet grille 6.
[0045]
With this configuration, a fastening part, such a screw, is not used to fasten the
30 roof part 7, and easer work is required to attach the roof part 7. In addition, since a
18
fastening part is not used to fasten the roof part 7, which is used for drainage, the same
configuration of the front panel 1 may be used for products to be shipped to cold
regions, in which water is easily frozen, and products to be shipped to temperate
regions, which are different from cold regions. Product management is thus facilitated.
5 [0046]
Alternatively, a configuration may also be used in which no extension ribs 73 are
provided to the roof part 7 and the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71 is in contact
with the front panel 1. In this case, in a state in which the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the
front panel 1, the length of the proximal portions 62a of the grille extension portions 62
10 is only required to be specified with which the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71 is
pressed against the front panel 1.
[0047]
However, in a case in which the extension ribs 73 are provided, in comparison
with a case in which no extension ribs 73 are provided, pressure applied to a location at
15 which the roof part 7 and the front panel 1 are in contact with each other is larger and
the roof part 7 is more stably held such that the roof part 7 is thus further pressed
against the front panel 1. While an air-conditioning apparatus is operating,
components such as the compressor 16 and the air-sending device 15, which are
illustrated in Fig. 4, drive and vibrations are thus produced at the outdoor unit 100.
20 With the configuration in which the extension ribs 73 are provided and are pressed
against the front panel 1, the outlet grille 6, which is the plurality of iron bars 60, is
warped and generates repulsion, which prevents the roof part 7 from being wobbled by
vibrations and thus prevents a vibration sound produced by the roof part 7.
[0048]
25 The structure of the top plate 3 is described below with reference to Fig. 15. The
top plate 3 has a top-plate extension portion 30, which extends further forward than the
front panel 1 in the front-rear direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the
arrow Y. The top-plate extension portion 30 extends further forward than the tail end
71e of the main roof portion 71. The top plate 3 covers the upper end of the front
30 panel 1 and also covers a portion of the roof part 7 that is in the vicinity of the front
19
panel 1. The top-plate extension portion 30 has a flange portion 31, which protrudes
downward. In an example illustrated in Fig. 15, the length of the flange portion 31 is
specified with which a lower edge 31a of the flange portion 31 and the top face 71a of
the main roof portion 71 are in contact with each other.
5 [0049]
Fig. 16 is a partially-enlarged view that illustrates a positional relation between
the front panel and the roof part in the outdoor unit illustrated in Fig. 3. An arrow W1
illustrated in Fig. 15 indicates a flow of water along the top-plate extension portion 30.
Arrows W2 illustrated in Fig. 16 indicate flows of water at opposite respective ends of
10 the roof part 7 in the horizontal width direction, which is also referred to as the direction
of the arrow X.
[0050]
As illustrated in Fig. 15, water flows from an upper portion of the top-plate
extension portion 30 along the flange portion 31 and then, at the lower edge 31a of the
15 flange portion 31, moves onto the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 and toward
the front end 71f. Water that flows along a front portion of the top plate 3 is thus
prevented from flowing around the lower edge 31a of the flange portion 31 toward the
front panel 1. Water is hence prevented from flowing through the opening hole 1a
opened in the front panel 1.
20 [0051]
Water having moved from the flange portion 31 onto the top face 71a of the main
roof portion 71 flows on the top face 71a, which is inclined downward, toward the front
end 71f. Water having reached the front end 71f of the main roof portion 71 is blocked
by the front-end protrusion 74 and is separated into the left and the right. The water
25 then flows on the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 along the front-end protrusion
74 and is discharged, as illustrated in Fig. 16, from both opposite ends of the main roof
portion 71 in the horizontal width direction, which is also referred to as the direction of
the arrow X.
[0052]
30 In a state in which the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the front panel 1 as illustrated in
20
Fig. 14, the length of the main roof portion 71 in the front-rear direction, which is also
referred to as the direction of the arrow Y, is also specified with which the front end 71f
of the main roof portion 71 is located further forward than the sub-roof portion 72 and
the outlet grille 6. Even in a case in which water having reached the front end 71f of
5 the main roof portion 71 flows over the front-end protrusion 74 and flows forward, the
water merely drips from the front-end protrusion 74. Water is therefore prevented from
moving along the outlet grille 6 onto the front panel 1.
[0053]
Also, as described above, the main roof portion 71 has the horizontal width,
10 which is larger than or equal to the diameter Do of the opening hole 1a in the front panel
1, and the main roof portion 71 is inclined further downward as the main roof portion 71
is further away from the front panel 1. Drops of water that are blocked by the front-end
protrusion 74 and flow separately in the left-right direction thus drip from the front
portion of the main roof portion 71. Water discharged from the roof part 7 is therefore
15 prevented from flowing from the opposite ends of the roof part 7 along the outdoor unit
100. In particular, at the front face of the casing 100a, water discharged from the roof
part 7 is therefore prevented from flowing through the upper portion of the edge of the
opening hole 1a in the front panel 1 and into the inside of the opening hole 1a in the
front panel 1. With this configuration, water is also prevented from flowing through
20 between the bell mouth 1b and the fan 15a illustrated in Fig. 4. Even when the outdoor
air temperature is so low that water is frozen, such less resultant ice is thus less likely to
interfere with a rotation of the fan. Even when the outdoor air temperature is so low
that the temperature of air blown out from the fan 15a is below freezing point, water
located between the fan 15a and the bell mouth 1b and other components is therefore
25 prevented from being frozen. Such less resultant ice is less likely to interfere with a
rotation of the fan 15a and extraordinary noise, which may be caused by such
interference, is thus prevented from being generated.
[0054]
Also, as illustrated in Fig. 15, the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 and the
30 lower edge 31a of the flange portion 31 are in contact with each other at a location
21
further forward than a bifurcation point Pd at which the sub-roof portion 72 branches
from the main roof portion 71 in the front-rear direction, which is also referred to as the
direction of the arrow Y. Furthermore, the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 and
the lower edge 31a of the flange portion 31 are preferably in contact with each other at
5 a location further forward than the bifurcation point Pd and further rearward than the
front face of the grille body 61 in the front-rear direction, which is also referred to as the
direction of the arrow Y.
[0055]
With this configuration, the roof part 7 is sandwiched by the upper end portion 6a
10 of the outlet grille 6 and the front panel 1 in the front-rear direction, which is also
referred to as the direction of the arrow Y, the roof part 7 is also sandwiched by the
upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6 and the lower edge 31a of the flange portion
31 in the height direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow Z, and
the roof part 7 is therefore more stably held. Such an event that the roof part 7 is
15 wobbled, as described above, is therefore prevented and a vibration sound produced
when the roof part 7 is wobbled is also prevented.
[0056]
Fig. 17 is a perspective view that illustrates a modification of the roof part
according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in Fig. 17, the main roof portion 71 of the
20 modification is inclined downward from a center Pc, which is the center in the horizontal
width direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow X, toward both end
portions Pe, which are opposite to each other in the horizontal width direction, which is
also referred to as the direction of the arrow X. Other components of the roof part 7 in
the modification are the same as the roof part 7 illustrated in Fig. 6, and their description
25 is thus omitted.
[0057]
With this configuration, water that flows along the flange portion 31 and moves
onto the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 as illustrated in Fig. 15 is moved
toward the left or right end portion Pe and is sped up by gravity. The water is therefore
30 prevented from stagnating on the main roof portion 71 and the water on the roof part 7
22
is thus discharged from at least either one of the end portions Pe with more certainty.
[0058]
In an example illustrated in Fig. 17, the main roof portion 71 is bent at the center
Pc in the horizontal width direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow
5 X, portions on the left and right of the center Pc are thus each inclined. Alternatively,
for example, by varying the thickness of the main roof portion 71 in the horizontal width
direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow X, portions on the left
and right of the center Pc may be each inclined. Specifically, portions on the left and
right of the center Pc on the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 may be each
10 inclined such that the bottom face 71b of the main roof portion 71 is flat and the
thickness of the main roof portion 71 is gradually reduced from the center Pc in the
horizontal width direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow X,
toward each of the end portions Pe in the horizontal width direction, which is also
referred to as the direction of the arrow X.
15 [0059]
Also, when the main roof portion 71 is inclined downward from the center Pc in
the horizontal width direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow X,
toward both the end portions Pe in the horizontal width direction, which is also referred
to as the direction of the arrow X, a configuration may be used in which the main roof
20 portion 71 is located horizontally in the front-rear direction, which is also referred to as
the direction of the arrow Y, and the front-end protrusion 74 is omitted. In this
configuration, the upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6 extends horizontally
rearward and thus extends along the main roof portion 71.
[0060]
25 As described above, the outdoor unit 100 for an air-conditioning apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 has the casing 100a, which has the front panel 1 in which
the opening hole 1a is opened, the fan 15a provided to the casing 100a and configured
to blow out air to the outside through the opening hole 1a, the roof part 7, and the outlet
grille 6. The roof part 7 is installed at the front of the front panel 1 and above the
30 opening hole 1a and extends in the width direction of the casing 100a, which is also
23
referred to as the direction of the arrow X. The outlet grille 6 is fixed to the casing 100a
and covers the opening hole 1a. The roof part 7 has the main roof portion 71, which
extends further forward than the front panel 1, and the sub-roof portion 72, which
extends downward and forward from the main roof portion 71 and has the recessions 7a
5 formed between the bottom face 71b of the main roof portion 71 and the sub-roof
portion 72. The outlet grille 6 has the upper end portion 6a, which is in contact with the
recessions 7a. The front panel 1 and the upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6
hold the roof part 7 such that the front panel 1 and the upper end portion 6a of the outlet
grille 6 sandwich the roof part 7.
10 [0061]
With this configuration, water is discharged toward a location away from the
opening hole 1a through the roof part 7, which is in contact with the front panel 1.
Also, the upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6, which is located between the main
roof portion 71 and the sub-roof portion 72, and the front panel 1 hold the roof part 7 in
15 a predetermined position. To attach the roof part 7, the outdoor unit 100 therefore
requires easer work than does some outdoor unit in prevention of water from flowing
through between the fan 15a and the opening hole 1a in the front panel 1.
[0062]
The casing 100a also has the top plate 3 located on top of the front panel 1.
20 The top plate 3 has the top-plate extension portion 30, which extends further forward
than the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71 and covers a portion of the roof part 7
that is in the vicinity of the front panel 1. With this configuration, drops of water flow on
the top-plate extension portion 30 of the top plate 3 and then flow on a portion of the
roof part 7 located further forward than a gap between the roof part 7 and the front
25 panel 1. Water is therefore prevented from flowing, through the gap between the roof
part 7 and the front panel 1, through the edge of the opening hole 1a and into the inside
of the opening hole 1a.
[0063]
Also, the top-plate extension portion 30 has the flange portion 31, which
30 protrudes downward. The top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 and the lower edge
24
31a of the flange portion 31 are in contact with each other in a state in which the outlet
grille 6 is fixed to the casing 100a. Water is thus prevented from flowing around
rearward of the top-plate extension portion 30. Water is therefore prevented from
flowing through the edge of the opening hole 1a and into the inside of the opening hole
5 1a.
[0064]
Also, in a state in which the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the casing 100a, the top face
71a of the main roof portion 71 and the lower edge 31a of the flange portion 31 are in
contact with each other at a location further forward than a location at which the sub10 roof portion 72 branches from the main roof portion 71. With this configuration, the
main roof portion 71 is sandwiched by the upper end portion 6a of the outlet grille 6 and
the lower edge 31a of the flange portion 31 in the height direction, which is also referred
to as the direction of the arrow Z, and the main roof portion 71 is therefore more stably
held. Since the main roof portion 71 is more stably held, a vibration sound caused
15 when the roof part 7 is wobbled is also prevented.
[0065]
The roof part 7 also has the extension ribs 73, which each extend from portions of
the tail end 71e of the main roof portion 71 toward the front panel 1. In a state in which
the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the casing 100a, the extension ribs 73 are pressed against
20 the front panel 1. With this configuration, a portion of the roof part 7 that is in vicinity of
the front panel 1 is provided with a portion at which the roof part 7 is in contact with the
front panel 1 and a portion at which the roof part 7 is not in contact with the front panel
1. With high pressure applied on the portion at which the roof part 7 is in contact with
the front panel 1, the roof part 7 is therefore more stably held. Since the main roof
25 portion 71 is more stably held, a vibration sound caused when the roof part 7 is wobbled
is also prevented.
[0066]
Also, the main roof portion 71 is inclined further downward as the main roof
portion 71 is further away from the front panel 1. The main roof portion 71 has the
30 horizontal width, which is larger than or equal to an opening-hole diameter, which is also
25
referred to as the diameter Do, of the opening hole 1a in the front panel 1. The roof
part 7 also has the front-end protrusion 74 provided at the front end 71f of the main roof
portion 71 and shaped such that the front-end protrusion 74 protrudes upward. With
this configuration, water that flows forward on the top face 71a of the main roof portion
5 71 is blocked by the front-end protrusion 74 and is made flow in the horizontal width
direction, which is also referred to as the direction of the arrow X, and then is
discharged from both opposite ends of the main roof portion 71 in the horizontal width
direction. Drainage from the front is thus prevented. The blocked water is thus also
made flow away from the opening hole 1a in the horizontal width direction, which is also
10 referred to as the direction of the arrow X, and is then discharged. Water is therefore
prevented from flowing into the opening hole 1a.
[0067]
Also, the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 is inclined downward from the
center Pc in the horizontal width direction, which is also referred to as the direction of
15 the arrow X, toward both the end portions Pe in the horizontal width direction. With this
configuration, water on the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71 is moved toward the
left or right end portion Pe and is sped up by gravity. The water is therefore prevented
from stagnating on the main roof portion 71 and the water on the roof part 7 is thus
discharged from at least either one of the end portions Pe with more certainty.
20 [0068]
The outlet grille 6 also has the grille body 61, which is the plurality of iron bars 60,
the grille extension portions 62, and the fixation portions 63. The grille extension
portions 62 are located at respective left and right upper ends of the grille body 61.
The grille extension portions 62 each extend further rearward than the upper end
25 portion 6a of the outlet grille 6. The fixation portions 63 are located at respective left
and right lower ends of the grille body 61. The fixation portions 63 are fixed to the front
panel 1 by the fixing screws 9. Also, at portions above the outer circumference of the
opening hole 1a, the insertion holes 11 through which the grille extension portions 62
are inserted, are opened in the front panel 1.
30 [0069]
26
With this configuration, when the outlet grille 6 is fixed to the front panel 1, the
grille extension portions 62 are inserted into the insertion holes 11. The outlet grille 6
is thus positioned to the front panel 1 and fastening the fixing screws 9 is hence
facilitated.
5 [0070]
Also, the front panel 1 has the bell mouth 1b, which protrudes from the edge of
the opening hole 1a in the front panel 1 rearward and toward the center of the opening
hole 1a. With this configuration, also in a case in which the bell mouth 1b is located at
the edge of the opening hole 1a in the front panel 1, water is prevented from flowing
10 through between the fan 15a and the bell mouth 1b. Also, since water is prevented
from flowing through the inside, even when the outdoor air temperature is low, water is
prevented from being frozen between the fan 15a and the bell mouth 1b. Such less
resultant ice is less likely to interfere with a rotation of the fan 15a and extraordinary
noise, which may be caused by such interference, is thus prevented from being
15 generated.
[0071]
The configuration of the outdoor unit 100 for an air-conditioning apparatus is not
limited to the embodiments described above, and the configuration may be modified or
partly omitted as needed. In the example illustrated in Fig. 15, the main roof portion 71
20 is inclined and extends downward from the front panel 1. Alternatively, for example,
the main roof portion 71 may extend from the front panel 1 horizontally forward. In
addition, the lower edge 31a of the flange portion 31 and the top face 71a of the main
roof portion 71 are not strictly required to be in contact with each other. As long as
water is prevented from flowing around rearward of the lower edge 31a of the flange
25 portion 31, a gap may be left, to some extent, between the lower edge 31a of the flange
portion 31 and the top face 71a of the main roof portion 71.
Reference Signs List
[0072]
1: front panel, 1a: opening hole, 1b: bell mouth, 1c: screw hole, 2, 2a, 2b: side
30 panel, 3: top plate, 4: base, 6: outlet grille, 6a: upper end portion, 7: roof part, 7a:
27
recession, 7b: notch, 8: controller, 9: fixing screw, 10: partition plate, 11: insertion hole,
11a: rear wall, 11b: side wall, 11c: edge portion, 12: insertion space, 12a: rear wall, 13:
heat exchanger, 14: support portion, 15: air-sending device, 15a: fan, 15b: motor, 16:
compressor, 30: top-plate extension portion, 31: flange portion, 31a: lower edge, 60:
5 iron bar, 60a: vertical bar, 60b: horizontal bar, 61: grille body, 62: grille extension portion,
62a: proximal portion, 62b: insertion distal portion, 63: fixation portion, 63a: screw hole,
71: main roof portion, 71a: top face, 71b: bottom face, 71e: tail end, 71f: front end, 72:
sub-roof portion, 72a: second protrusion, 72b: first protrusion, 73: extension rib, 74:
front-end protrusion, 75: tail-end protrusion, 76: regulation rib, 100: outdoor unit, 100a:
10 casing, A: arrow, B: arrow, Do: diameter, F: air-sending chamber, M: machine chamber,
Pc: center, Pd: bifurcation point, Pe: end portion
28
We Claim :
[Claim 1]
An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, the outdoor unit comprising:
a casing that has a front panel in which an opening hole is opened;
5 a fan provided to the casing and configured to blow out air to an outside through
the opening hole;
a roof part installed at a front of the front panel and above the opening hole and
extending in a width direction of the casing; and
an outlet grille fixed to the casing and covering the opening hole,
10 the roof part having
a main roof portion that extends further forward than the front panel, and
a sub-roof portion that extends downward and forward from the main roof portion
and has a recession formed between a bottom face of the main roof portion and the
sub-roof portion,
15 the outlet grille being located such that an upper end portion of the outlet grille is
in contact with the recession,
the front panel and the upper end portion of the outlet grille holding the roof part
such that the front panel and the upper end portion of the outlet grille sandwich the roof
part.
20 [Claim 2]
The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the casing has a top plate provided on top of the front panel, and
the top plate has a top-plate extension portion that extends further forward than a
tail end of the main roof portion and covers a portion of the roof part that is in the vicinity
25 of the front panel.
[Claim 3]
The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2, wherein
the top-plate extension portion has a flange portion that protrudes downward, and
a top face of the main roof portion and a lower edge of the flange portion are in
30 contact with each other in a state in which the outlet grille is fixed to the casing.
29
[Claim 4]
The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 3, wherein, in a state
in which the outlet grille is fixed to the casing, the top face of the main roof portion and
the lower edge of the flange portion are in contact with each other at a location further
5 forward than a location at which the sub-roof portion branches from the main roof
portion.
[Claim 5]
The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein
10 the roof part has an extension rib that extends from a portion of a tail end of the
main roof portion toward the front panel, and
in a state in which the outlet grille is fixed to the casing, the extension rib is
pressed against the front panel.
[Claim 6]
15 The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein
the main roof portion is inclined further downward as the main roof portion is
further away from the front panel,
the main roof portion has a horizontal width that is larger than or equal to an
20 opening-hole diameter of the opening hole in the front panel, and
the roof part has a front-end protrusion provided at a front end of the main roof
portion and shaped such that the front-end protrusion protrudes upward.
[Claim 7]
The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6,
25 wherein a top face of the main roof portion is inclined downward from a center in a
horizontal width direction toward both end portions in the horizontal width direction.
[Claim 8]
The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein
30 the outlet grille has
30
a grille body that is a plurality of iron bars,
grille extension portions provided at respective left and right upper ends of the
grille body, the grille extension portions each extending further rearward than the upper
end portion of the outlet grille, and
5 fixation portions provided at respective left and right lower ends of the grille body,
the fixation portions being fixed to the front panel by screws, and,
at portions above an outer circumference of the opening hole, insertion holes
through which the grille extension portions are inserted are opened in the front panel.
[Claim 9]
10 The outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein the front panel has a bell mouth that protrudes, from an edge of the opening
hole in the front panel, rearward and toward a center of the opening hole.