US20170108230A1 - Heat exchange unit and air-conditioning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat exchange unit includes a heat exchanger and a drain pan detachable to the heat exchanger, the drain pan including a first drain pan having a flat shape installed on a first imaginary plane, and a second drain pan having a flat shape and installed on a second imaginary plane having a different angle with respect to the first imaginary plane, wherein the first drain pan is provided below the heat exchanger.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is a U.S. national stage application of PCT/JP2014/063627 filed on May 22, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates to a heat exchange unit and an air-conditioning apparatus.
BACKGROUND
• There have been air-conditioning apparatuses that include on-site connection pipes provided on one end of a heat exchanger for connecting heat transfer pipes to external components (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). The air-conditioning apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is configured to be capable of changing the position for connecting the on-site connection pipes.
PATENT LITERATURE
• Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-238329 (p. 6, p. 7, FIG. 1, FIG. 2)
• In general, it is desirable that a body defining an outer shell of an air-conditioning apparatus be capable of being installed in various orientations depending on the structure of the building in which the air-conditioning apparatus is to be installed. This requires the heat exchanger, drain pan, and other members (hereinafter, “heat exchange unit”) provided inside the body to have a flexible structure to accommodate to different installation states of the body. That is, the heat exchange unit should be of a structure that is capable of receiving condensation water, which may form in the heat exchanger, even when an installation state of the body is changed. The heat exchange unit should also be of a structure that does not impair maintainability even when the installation state of the body is changed. The heat exchange unit should also be of a structure that can be easily changed even when the installation state of the body is changed. However, there is a problem in that the heat exchange units do not have a flexible structure that accommodates to the different installation states of the body.
SUMMARY
• The present invention has been developed against the above background to provide a heat exchange unit and an air-conditioning apparatus that reduce the possibility of impairing drainage regardless of an installation state thereof.
• A heat exchange unit of one embodiment of the present invention includes a heat exchanger and a drain pan detachable to the heat exchanger, the drain pan including a first drain pan having a flat shape and installed on a first imaginary plane and a second drain pan having a flat shape and installed on a second imaginary plane having a different angle with respect to the first imaginary plane, wherein the first drain pan is provided below the heat exchanger.
• An air-conditioning apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention includes the heat exchange unit of one embodiment of the present invention, an air blower unit, and a body in which the heat exchange unit and the air blower unit are housed.
• According to the present invention, the drain pan includes the first drain pan having a flat shape and installed on the first imaginary plane and the second drain pan having a flat shape and installed on the second imaginary plane having a different angle with respect to the first imaginary plane, and the first drain pan is provided below the heat exchanger. Thus, the heat exchange unit is capable of receiving condensation water, which forms in the heat exchanger, even when the installation state of the body is changed with the heat exchange unit provided inside the body. The possibility of impairing drainage is accordingly reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with aside surface panel1aopen.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram showing aheat exchange unit21 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram showing adrain pan23 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram showing afirst drain pan24 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion A ofFIG. 4.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 attached to a body1 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention viewed from a front surface of the body1.
• FIG. 8 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 attached to the body1 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention viewed from a rear surface of the body1.
• FIG. 9 is a partly enlarged view of portion B ofFIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention before theheat exchange unit21 is provided inside the body1.
• FIG. 14 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention after theheat exchange unit21 is provided inside the body1.
• FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a first variation of theheat exchange unit21.
• FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second variation of theheat exchange unit21.
• FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a third variation of theheat exchange unit21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• An air-conditioning apparatus100 (indoor unit) of one embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the dimensional relationships between each of the components may be different from actual relationships. Additionally, in the drawings and throughout the entire specification, similar reference characters are used to refer to the same or equivalent parts. Further, the form of the components presented throughout this entire specification is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting.
Embodiment 1
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with aside surface panel1aopen.
• As shown inFIG. 1, an outer shell of the air-conditioning apparatus100 is composed of a body1. The body1 has a shape, for example, of a hexahedron (rectangular parallelepiped) and is shaped such that an installation surface can be changed according to an installation state of the air-conditioning apparatus100. An example will be described in which the air-conditioning apparatus100 is floor standing. In the description that follows, a front surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, and a rear surface of the body1 will collectively be called side surfaces.
• An inside of the body1 is divided into a plurality of areas. For example, afirst area10, asecond area20, and athird area30 are formed inside the body1 in order from the bottom to the top of the body1. Thefirst area10, thesecond area20, and thethird area30 will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 2 discussed below.
• At least one of the side surfaces of the body1 is configured as the detachableside surface panel1a. Theside surface panel1ais for covering an outlet (not shown) provided on the body1. Afirst vent1A is provided on a lower surface of the body1 and a second vent1B is provided on an upper surface of the body1. That is, opposed surfaces of the body1 are open. Thefirst vent1A and the second vent1B are openings for allowing air in a room or air inside the body1 to pass therethrough. Theside surface panel1amay define only one of the side surfaces of the body1 or may define a plurality of the side surfaces of the body1. Maintainability can be improved by theside surface panel1adefining a plurality of the side surfaces of the body1.
• Thefirst vent1A is the opening for directing the air in the room into the body1. The second vent1B is the opening for directing the air directed into the body1 out of the body1. In Embodiment 1, the body1 is installed in an air-conditioned space such that a bottom surface of the body1 is the installation surface, and an upward flow structure is achieved in which the air flows from thefirst vent1A toward the second vent1B.
• As shown inFIG. 2, anair blower unit11 is provided in thefirst area10, aheat exchange unit21 is provided in thesecond area20, and acontrol box31 is provided in thethird area30. The members in thefirst area10,second area20, andthird area30 can be taken out from inside the body1 by removing theside surface panel1afrom the body1. Maintainability can thus be ensured.
• Theair blower unit11 is an air blower unit that is provided to direct the air in the room sequentially to theheat exchange unit21 and thecontrol box31. Theheat exchange unit21 will be discussed later. Thecontrol box31 is, for example, a member for housing a control board (not shown) that controls theair blower unit11.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 3, theheat exchange unit21 includes aheat exchanger22, adrain pan23, and anarm portion26.
• Theheat exchanger22 is a heat exchanger havingheat exchangers22a,22band serves as an evaporator during cooling operations and serves as a condenser during heating operations. Theheat exchanger22 is, for example, substantially V-shaped with theheat exchangers22a,22babutting on each other at upper ends thereof and configured to become more away from each other downwardly from the upper ends at the same tilt angle.
• Thedrain pan23 is a member for receiving condensation water formed in theheat exchanger22 and is configured, for example, in an L-shape. Thedrain pan23 is detachable to theheat exchanger22 and is used, for example, by being attached to theheat exchanger22. Thedrain pan23 has afirst drain pan24 and asecond drain pan25. Thearm portion26 is for attaching theheat exchanger22 to thedrain pan23.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram showing thedrain pan23 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.FIG. 5 is a diagram showing thefirst drain pan24 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion A ofFIG. 4.
• As shown inFIG. 4, thedrain pan23 has thefirst drain pan24 and thesecond drain pan25. Thefirst drain pan24 and thesecond drain pan25 are provided, for example, so that they are at right angles to each other. Assuming that a surface on which thefirst drain pan24 is installed is a first imaginary plane and that a surface on which thesecond drain pan25 is installed is a second imaginary plane, the first imaginary plane extends at an angle with respect to the second imaginary plane.
• Thefirst drain pan24 is provided below theheat exchanger22 and is a substantially rectangular flat member having an opening24A and a receivingportion24B. Thefirst drain pan24 is symmetrically shaped relative to at least either of an imaginary reference line L11 extending in a longitudinal direction of thefirst drain pan24 and passing through a lateral center of thefirst drain pan24 and an imaginary reference line L12 extending in a longitudinal direction of thefirst drain pan24 and passing through a longitudinal center of thefirst drain pan24. The opening24A is an opening for directing the air in the room that has been directed into the body1 to thesecond area20, and is, for example, substantially rectangular. The receivingportion24B is, for example, a portion that receives the condensation water formed by heat exchange in theheat exchanger22 and is, for example, provided on both sides of the opening24A. One of the receivingportions24B receives the condensation water formed in theheat exchanger22aand the other of the receivingportions24B receives the condensation water formed in theheat exchanger22b.
• Thesecond drain pan25 is provided on a side of theheat exchanger22 and is a substantially rectangular flat member having a receivingportion25A and a rising part25B. Thesecond drain pan25 is symmetrically shaped relative to at least either of an imaginary reference line L21 extending in a longitudinal direction of thesecond drain pan25 and passing through a lateral center of thesecond drain pan25 and an imaginary reference line L22 extending in a longitudinal direction of thesecond drain pan25 and passing through a longitudinal center of thesecond drain pan25. The receivingportion25A is provided with projections25a1,25a2. The projections25a1,25a2 project in a direction perpendicular to a direction of air flow. The rising part25B is, for example, a portion that rises perpendicular to the receivingportion25A from a perimeter of the receivingportion25A.
• Theheat exchange unit21 is provided such that the opening24A of thefirst drain pan24 is parallel with the opening of thefirst vent1A and the opening of the second vent1B. Additionally, theheat exchange unit21 is provided such that an outer surface of the receivingportion25A opposes any one of the side surfaces of the body1. Theside surface panel1athus defines the side surface of the body1 other than the side surface opposing the outer surface of the receivingportion25A, to facilitate the ease with which theheat exchange unit21 may be removed.
• As shown inFIG. 5, a lower surface of thefirst drain pan24 is provided, for example, with aheat insulating material24a, an expanded polystyrene foam24b, and recesses24c. Theheat insulating material24ais positioned on an inner side of thefirst drain pan24 because theheat insulating material24amay be ripped off or become scratched by contact with a metal plate35 (described below) that is provided below thefirst drain pan24. Therecesses24care provided at adjacent corners of the four corners of thefirst drain pan24 to recess inward. Thesecond drain pan25 is attached to thefirst drain pan24 by protrusions (not shown) that are provided on thesecond drain pan25 engaging with therecesses24c.
• As shown inFIG. 6, a plurality of the projections25a1, which are for positioning thefirst drain pan24, are provided. Thefirst drain pan24 and thesecond drain pan25 are connected to each other at respective one ends by the projections25a1 to position thefirst drain pan24. The projections25a2 function in a similar manner to the projections25a1. In Embodiment 1, the projections25a1 limit an upward movement of thefirst drain pan24.
• Air flow and heat exchange in theheat exchanger22 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 will now be described.
• When theair blower unit11 rotates, the air in the room is directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100. The air directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100 sequentially passes through theair blower unit11, theheat exchange unit21, and thecontrol box31, and is directed into the room. While theair blower unit11 is rotating, heat is exchanged in theheat exchanger22. Specifically, for example, in a cooling operation, refrigerant flowing through theheat exchanger22 exchanges heat with the air that passes through theheat exchanger22, whereby the refrigerant is heated and the temperature of the refrigerant is increased. That is, in the cooling operation, the air that passes through theheat exchanger22 exchanges heat with the refrigerant that flows through theheat exchanger22, whereby the air is cooled and the temperature of the air is reduced. This can cause condensation water to form on a surface of theheat exchanger22. The condensation water formed on the surface of theheat exchanger22 drops onto thefirst drain pan24 and is collected in the receivingportions24B.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 attached to the body1 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention viewed from the front surface of the body1.FIG. 8 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 attached to the body1 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention viewed from the rear surface of the body1.FIG. 9 is a partly enlarged view of portion B ofFIG. 8.
• As shown inFIGS. 7 to 9, theheat exchange unit21 is provided with themetal plate35 and a fixingmetal plate40 on a front and rear side. Themetal plate35 is a member that divides thefirst area10 and thesecond area20 and supports theheat exchange unit21. The fixingmetal plate40 is a member that serves as a fixing unit for fixing theheat exchange unit21 to themetal plate35. Fixing theheat exchange unit21 to themetal plate35 using the fixingmetal plate40 prevents theheat exchange unit21 from moving inside the body1 when vibrations occur during transportation of the body1 with theheat exchange unit21 provided therein. The air directed into the body1 can also be prevented from flowing out from inside the body1 without passing through the second vent1B. Thus, reduction in heat exchange performance and formation of condensation water can be suppressed.
• As described above, the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 1 includes theheat exchanger22 and thedrain pan23 detachable to theheat exchanger22, thedrain pan23 including thefirst drain pan24 having a flat shape and installed on the first imaginary plane and thesecond drain pan25 having a flat shape and installed on the second imaginary plane having an angle with respect to the first imaginary plane, wherein thefirst drain pan24 is provided below theheat exchanger22.
• Consequently, theheat exchange unit21 can receive the condensation water, which forms in theheat exchanger22, even when the installation state of the body1 is changed with theheat exchange unit21 provided inside the body1. The possibility of impairing drainage can thus be reduced.
• Thethird area30 in which thecontrol box31 is provided is positioned downstream in the airflow of thesecond area20 in which theheat exchange unit21 is provided. Thus, in the cooling operation, the refrigerant that flows through theheat exchanger22 provided in thesecond area20 receives heat, whereby the air directed into the body1 is cooled, and the cooled air can cool thecontrol box31 provided in thethird area30.
• In Embodiment 1, an example has been described, without limitation thereto, in which thefirst area10, thesecond area20, and thethird area30 are formed in order from the bottom to the top of the body1. For instance, thesecond area20, thefirst area10, and thethird area30 may be sequentially formed from the bottom to the top of the body1.
• In Embodiment 1, an example has also been described, without limitation thereto, in which only thefirst area10, thesecond area20, and thethird area30 are formed inside the body1. For instance, areas in which other members necessary to operate the air-conditioning apparatus100 are disposed may be additionally provided inside the body1.
• In Embodiment 1, an example has also been described, without limitation thereto, in which the air-conditioning apparatus100 is operated with thesecond drain pan25 attached to thefirst drain pan24. For instance, the air-conditioning apparatus100 may be operated with thefirst drain pan24 and thesecond drain pan25 separated. In this case, for example, it is only required that thefirst drain pan24 is attached to theheat exchanger22 and thesecond drain pan25 is attached to theheat exchanger22.
Embodiment 2
• In Embodiment 2, unlike Embodiment 1, the body1 is installed such that a top surface of the body1 is the installation surface, and a downward flow structure is achieved in which air flows from thefirst vent1A to the second vent1B. In Embodiment 2, items that are not described in particular are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and the same reference characters are used to refer to the same functions and configurations.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
• As shown inFIG. 10, thefirst area10, thesecond area20, and thethird area30 are sequentially formed inside the body1 from the top of the page to the bottom of page.
• For the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 2, for example, theheat exchange unit21 is taken out from thesecond area20 of the body1 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 with an upward flow structure as shown inFIG. 2, and the body1 is turned upside down. After the body1 is turned upside down, theheat exchange unit21 is provided in thesecond area20 of the body1. As a result, the air-conditioning apparatus100 has the downward flow structure. Thus, changing the installation state of the body1 requires no change in the shape or other characteristics of theheat exchange unit21.
• The air flow and heat exchange in theheat exchanger22 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 2 will now be described.
• When theair blower unit11 rotates, the air in the room is directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100. The air directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100 sequentially passes through theair blower unit11, theheat exchange unit21, and thecontrol box31, and is directed into the room. As described above, when condensation water forms on the surface of theheat exchanger22, the condensation water formed on the surface of theheat exchanger22 drops onto thefirst drain pan24 and is collected in the receivingportions24B.
Embodiment 3
• In Embodiment 3, unlike Embodiment 1, the body1 is installed such that the right side surface of the body1 is the installation surface, and a rightward flow structure is achieved in which air flows from thefirst vent1A to the second vent1B. In Embodiment 3, items that are not described in particular are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and the same reference characters are used to refer to the same functions and configurations.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
• As shown inFIG. 11, thefirst area10, thesecond area20, and thethird area30 are sequentially formed inside the body1 from the left of the page to the right of page.
• For the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 3, for example, the air-conditioning apparatus100 with the upward flow structure as shown inFIG. 2 is turned on its right side so that the rightward flow structure as shown inFIG. 11 is achieved. In the air-conditioning apparatus100 with the rightward flow structure, unlike the air-conditioning apparatus100 with the upward flow structure, gravity does not act on theheat exchange unit21 and themetal plate35 to fill the gap therebetween. Thus, in Embodiment 3, the gap between theheat exchange unit21 and themetal plate35 can be filled further by using the fixingmetal plate40.
• The air flow and heat exchange in theheat exchanger22 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 3 will now be described.
• When theair blower unit11 rotates, the air in the room is directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100. The air directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100 sequentially passes through theair blower unit11, theheat exchange unit21, and thecontrol box31, and is directed into the room. As described above, when condensation water forms on the surface of theheat exchanger22, the condensation water formed on the surface of theheat exchanger22 drops onto thesecond drain pan25 and is collected in the receivingportion25A.
Embodiment 4
• In Embodiment 4, unlike Embodiment 1, the body1 is installed such that the left side surface of the body1 is the installation surface, and a leftward flow structure is achieved in which air flows from thefirst vent1A to the second vent1B. In Embodiment 4, items that are not described in particular are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and the same reference characters are used to refer to the same functions and configurations.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.FIG. 13 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention before theheat exchange unit21 is provided inside the body1.FIG. 14 is a diagram showing theheat exchange unit21 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention after theheat exchange unit21 is provided inside the body1.FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a first variation of theheat exchange unit21.FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second variation of theheat exchange unit21.FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a third variation of theheat exchange unit21.
• As shown inFIG. 12, thefirst area10, thesecond area20, and thethird area30 are sequentially formed inside the body1 from the right of the page to the left of page.
• An assembly procedure of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 will now be described.
• First, theheat exchange unit21 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 with the upward flow structure as shown inFIG. 2 is rearranged. Specifically, with thesecond drain pan25 provided on the right side of thefirst drain pan24 on the page as shown inFIG. 13, thesecond drain pan25 is removed from thefirst drain pan24, and thesecond drain pan25 is provided on the left side of thefirst drain pan24 on the page as shown inFIG. 14. The air-conditioning apparatus100 with the upward flow structure as shown inFIG. 2 is then turned on its left side to install the body1 such that the left side surface of the body1 is the installation surface.
• The air flow and heat exchange in theheat exchanger22 of the air-conditioning apparatus100 according to Embodiment 4 will now be described.
• When theair blower unit11 rotates, the air in the room is directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100. The air directed into the air-conditioning apparatus100 sequentially passes through theair blower unit11, theheat exchange unit21, and thecontrol box31, and is directed into the room. As described above, when condensation water forms on the surface of theheat exchanger22, the condensation water formed on the surface of theheat exchanger22 drops onto thesecond drain pan25 and is collected in the receivingportion25A.
• As described above, in the air-conditioning apparatus100 of Embodiments 1 to 4, theheat exchange unit21 can receive the condensation water formed in theheat exchanger22 whether the installation state of the body1 has an upward flow, downward flow, rightward flow, or leftward flow.
• In addition, forming theheat exchanger22, thefirst drain pan24, and thesecond drain pan25 as oneheat exchange unit21 enables theheat exchange unit21 to be taken out easily when changing the installation state of the body1 or when performing maintenance of the air-conditioning apparatus100.
• An example of an opening24A being provided on thefirst drain pan24 has been described without limitation thereto. For instance, it is only required that an opening is provided on at least one of thefirst drain pan24 and thesecond drain pan25.
• In the description above, an example has been described, without limitation thereto, in which theheat exchanger22 is provided inside the body1 in a state as shown inFIG. 3. For instance, as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, theheat exchanger22 may be configured only with either theheat exchanger22aor22b. Alternatively, for instance, as shown inFIG. 17, theheat exchanger22 may be attached to the inside of the body1 by being turned upside down from the state shown inFIG. 3. In particular, as shown inFIG. 15, when theheat exchanger22 is configured only with theheat exchanger22a, theheat exchanger22 can be attached to thedrain pan23 without providing thearm portion26.

Claims (12)

1. A heat exchange unit comprising:

a heat exchanger; and

a drain pan detachable to the heat exchanger,

the drain pan including

a first drain pan being a member having a rectangular flat shape and installed on a first imaginary plane, and

a second drain pan having a flat shape and installed on a second imaginary plane extending at an angle with respect to the first imaginary plane,

the first drain pan

being provided below the heat exchanger, and

having inwardly depressed recesses at adjacent two corners of the first drain pan,

the second drain pan being provided with protrusions for engaging with the recesses.

2. The heat exchange unit ofclaim 1, wherein the first imaginary plane is substantially perpendicular to the second imaginary plane.

3. The heat exchange unit ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first drain pan and the second drain pan includes an opening for flowing air.

4. The heat exchange unit ofclaim 1, wherein the first drain pan and the second drain pan are connected to each other at respective one ends, and the second drain pan is provided with a projection for positioning the first drain pan.

5. (canceled)

6. The heat exchange unit ofclaim 1, wherein the first drain pan is symmetrically shaped relative to at least either of

an imaginary reference line extending in a longitudinal direction of the first drain pan and passing through a lateral center of the first drain pan, and

an imaginary reference line extending in a lateral direction of the first drain pan and passing through a longitudinal center of the first drain pan.

7. The heat exchange unit ofclaim 1, wherein the second drain pan is symmetrically shaped relative to at least either of

an imaginary reference line extending in a longitudinal direction of the second drain pan and passing through a lateral center of the second drain pan, and

an imaginary reference line extending in a lateral direction of the second drain pan and passing through a longitudinal center of the second drain pan.

8. An air-conditioning apparatus comprising:

the heat exchange unit ofclaim 1,

an air blower unit, and

a body housing the heat exchange unit and the air blower unit.

9. The air-conditioning apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein

at least one of the first drain pan and the second drain pan includes an opening for flowing air, one of opposite surfaces of the body is provided with a first vent and an other of the opposite surfaces of the body is provided with a second vent, and the heat exchange unit is provided such that the opening is opposed to an opening of the first vent and an opening of the second vent.

10. The air-conditioning apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein an outer surface of a receiving portion of the second drain pan is provided to be opposed to one of side surfaces of the body.

11. The air-conditioning apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein at least one surface of the side surfaces of the body not opposing the outer surface of the receiving portion of the second drain pan is configured as a detachable side surface panel.

12. The air-conditioning apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising a fixing unit for fixing the drain pan to the body.

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