Air conditioner indoor unit

Abstract

An air conditioner indoor unit A includes a body casing 1, which accommodates a fan 2 and a heat exchanger 3. A top plate 13 is arranged in an upper portion of the body casing 1. A longitudinal reinforcement rib 14, which divides the top plate 13 into a first region 13 a and a second region 13 b, is formed in the top plate 13. A first lateral reinforcement rib 15, which extends between the longitudinal reinforcement rib 14 and a corresponding one of side edges 13 c of the top plate 13, is formed in the first region 13 a. A second lateral reinforcement rib 16, which extends between the longitudinal reinforcement rib 14 and the other side edge 13 c of the top plate 13, is formed in the second region 13 b. The reinforcement ribs 14, 15, 16 thus significantly increase the rigidity of the top plate 13 as a whole. Further, if the first and second lateral reinforcement ribs 15, 16 are formed by stretch-forming, torsion and flexure of the top plate 13 caused by spring back after the ribs 15, 16 are formed are decreased. As a result, the top plate 13 is mounted with increased work efficiency.

1 . An air conditioner indoor unit having a body casing accommodating a fan and a heat exchanger, the body casing having a top plate arranged in an upper portion thereof, the top plate having a longitudinal reinforcement rib dividing the top plate into first and second regions, one or more first lateral reinforcement ribs and one or more second lateral reinforcement ribs, the first lateral reinforcement ribs are arranged in the first region and between the longitudinal reinforcement rib and one of two side edges of the top plate that face the longitudinal reinforcement rib, and wherein the second lateral reinforcement ribs are arranged in the second region and between the longitudinal reinforcement rib and the other side edge. 
   
   
       2 . The air conditioner indoor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the top plate has a rectangular shape, the longitudinal reinforcement rib extending parallel to the side edges of the top plate. 
   
   
       3 . The air conditioner indoor unit according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said one or more first lateral reinforcement ribs and said one or more second lateral reinforcement ribs extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal reinforcement rib and the side edges of the top plate. 
   
   
       4 . The air conditioner indoor unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said one or more first lateral reinforcement ribs include a pair of first lateral reinforcement ribs, and said one or more second lateral reinforcement ribs include a pair of second lateral reinforcement ribs, and wherein one of the first lateral reinforcement ribs and a corresponding one of the second lateral reinforcement ribs are aligned along a common straight line, and the other first lateral reinforcement rib and the corresponding second lateral reinforcement rib are arranged along mutually offset straight lines. 
   
   
       5 . The air conditioner indoor unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said one or more first lateral reinforcement ribs include three or more first lateral reinforcement ribs, said one or more second lateral reinforcement ribs include three or more second lateral reinforcement ribs, and wherein some of the first lateral reinforcement ribs and corresponding ones of the second lateral reinforcement ribs are aligned along common straight lines, and the other first lateral reinforcement ribs and the corresponding second lateral reinforcement ribs are arranged along mutually offset straight lines. 
   
   
       6 . The air conditioner indoor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the top plate has the side edges and a pair of end edges extending perpendicular to the side edges, an edge bending rib extending downward being formed in each side edge and each end edge. 
   
   
       7 . The air conditioner indoor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal reinforcement rib is formed through bending. 
   
   
       8 . The air conditioner indoor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more first lateral reinforcement ribs and said one or more second lateral reinforcement ribs are formed by stretch-forming.