CN113137675A

CN113137675A - Water supply body, heat exchanger unit and air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN113137675A
Application number: CN202110067540.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 坂野雄治
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-20
Filing date: 2021-01-19
Publication date: 2021-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-19
Also published as: WO2021149609A1; JP2021113679A; JP2021113651A; JP6885479B1; CN113137675B; CN214701006U; CN214701209U; JP7456418B2

Abstract

The water supply body is disposed above a heat exchanger including a first path and a second path through which second air flows in heat exchange with first air flowing in the first path. The water supply body is provided with: a water receiving unit that receives water to be supplied to the heat exchanger; and a plurality of water flow passages through which water received by the water receiving portion flows, the water flow passages extending toward each of a plurality of passages constituting the second passage.

Description

Water supply body, heat exchanger unit and air conditioner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a water supply body, a heat exchanger unit, and an air conditioner.

Background

There is known a gasification cooling type air conditioner (for example, patent document 1) which sucks air in a room, lowers an ambient temperature by vaporization heat of water, and blows out cooled air into the room. The air conditioner (cooling fan) of patent document 1 includes: a blowing member disposed in the casing, a first flow path, and a second flow path. The first flow path communicates the suction port of the casing with the first blowout port, and guides the air flow generated by the air blowing member to the first blowout port. The second flow path communicates the suction port of the casing with the second discharge port, and guides the air flow generated by the air blowing member to the second discharge port. The gasification member is disposed in the second flow path, and cools the air flowing through the second flow path by the heat of vaporization of the water. A heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between the air flow cooled by the vaporizing member of the second flow path and the air flow flowing through the first flow path. In the second flow path provided with the vaporizing member, mist-like water (non-evaporated dispersed water) dispersed by the vaporizing member and air having an absolute humidity increased by vaporized water (evaporated dispersed water) flow downstream of the vaporizing member. The air whose humidity has been increased is blown out as exhaust air from a second air outlet which is an outlet of the second flow path. The air flow flowing through the first flow path and cooled by the heat exchanger is blown out from the first blowout port to the air-conditioned space as supply air.

In patent document 1, since the air flowing through the second flow path by the air blowing means passes through the plurality of tubes of the sensible heat exchanger and the air flowing through the first flow path by the air blowing means passes around the plurality of tubes, the air flowing through the second flow path exchanges heat with the air flowing through the first flow path.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-092338

However, the sensible heat exchanger of the air conditioner of patent document 1 exchanges heat only between the air flowing through the first flow path and the air flowing through the second flow path, and cannot efficiently cool the air.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a heat exchanger unit capable of improving cooling capacity.

A water supply body according to an aspect of the present invention is a water supply body provided above a heat exchanger including a first path and a second path through which second air for exchanging heat with first air flowing through the first path flows, the water supply body including: a water receiving unit that receives water to be supplied to the heat exchanger; and a plurality of water flow paths through which the water received by the water receiving portion flows. The plurality of water flow paths extend toward each of the plurality of passages constituting the second path.

In this aspect, since water is supplied to the heat exchanger from the water supply body provided above the heat exchanger, the cooling capacity in the heat exchanger can be improved. When water is supplied to the heat exchanger, the water supply body is provided with a plurality of water flow passages extending toward each of the plurality of passages constituting the second path of the heat exchanger, and therefore, water can be effectively distributed to the passages of the second path, and variation in temperature distribution of the second air flowing through the passages of the second path can be suppressed, and the second air can be effectively cooled. The heat exchanger performs the sensible exchange between the second air that is effectively cooled as such and the first air flowing in the first path. Since such a water supply body is provided above the heat exchanger, the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger can be further improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a structural example of a heat exchanger unit including a water supply body according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a structural example of the water supply body.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a structural example of the water supply body.

Fig. 4 is a schematic bottom view showing a structural example of the water supply body.

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing a structural example of the water supply body.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the flow of air in the heat exchanger unit.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a main part of the water supply body in the heat exchanger unit.

Fig. 8 is a schematic side sectional view showing a structural example of an air conditioner having a heat exchanger unit mounted thereon.

Detailed Description

(first embodiment)

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a structural example of a heat exchanger unit 1 including a water supply body 13 according to a first embodiment. The heat exchanger unit 1 is mounted on an air conditioner 100 (see fig. 8) described later, and performs sensible heat exchange between first air (supply air) and second air (exhaust air) flowing inside the air conditioner 100. The mounting state of the heat exchanger unit 1 shown in fig. 1 is shown in the vertical and horizontal directions as a normal usage mode when the heat exchanger unit 1 is mounted inside the air conditioner 100. As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the air-conditioned space is a space to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 100. The first air is air that is blown out to the air-conditioned space by the air conditioner 100 for air conditioning, and represents Supply Air (SA) to the air-conditioned space. The second air is air for cooling the first air and blown out after sensible heat exchange with the first air, and represents exhaust gas (EA).

The heat exchanger unit 1 includes: a sensible heat exchanger 10, a water supply body 13 for supplying water to the sensible heat exchanger 10, and a support member 17 for placing the water supply body 13 on the upper portion of the sensible heat exchanger 10.

The sensible heat exchanger 10 is a box-shaped casing, and is provided with a first path 11 through which a first air flows and a second path 12 through which a second air flows. The first path 11 and the second path 12 in the sensible heat exchanger 10 are each formed of a plurality of metal plates having a hollow structure, and are each formed by arranging these metal plates in parallel. The metal plate having a hollow structure is composed of, for example, a plurality of fins, or may be a flat tube. For example, the plate is made of aluminum, copper, or the like, which is a metal having good heat conductivity, or an alloy containing these as main components, whereby the efficiency of sensible heat exchange can be improved.

The hollow structures of the metal plates constituting the first path 11 form first passages 110 of the first path 11, respectively (refer to fig. 7). The first path 11 includes a plurality of first passages 110, and the first air flows in the first passages 110, respectively. Likewise, the hollow structures of the metal plates constituting the second path 12 form second passages 120 of the second path 12, respectively (refer to fig. 7). The second path 12 includes a plurality of second passages 120, and the second air flows in the second passages 120, respectively. Alternatively, each of the second passages 120 of the second path 12 may be formed by a gap between outer surfaces of a plurality of metal plates arranged in parallel to form the first path 11. The second passages 120 of the second path 12 may be formed in a plurality of metal plates constituting the first path 11 by gaps between adjacent metal plates.

As described above, the first air serving as the supply air flows through the first passages 110 constituting the first path 11. The second air that becomes the exhaust gas flows in each second passage 120 that constitutes the second path 12. In the present embodiment, the inlet of the first path 11 is located on the left side surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10, and the outlet of the first path 11 is located on the right side surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. The first path 11 linearly extends from the left side surface to the right side surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. The shape of the open end of each first channel 110 constituting the first path 11 may be, for example, an elongated hole shape extending in the up-down direction of the sensible heat exchanger 10, or a rectangular shape elongated in length.

In the present embodiment, the inlet of the second path 12 is located at the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10, and the outlet of the second path 12 is located at the lower surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. The second path 12 linearly extends from the upper surface toward the lower surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. The open end of each second channel 120 constituting the second path 12 may have a long hole shape extending in the left-right direction of the sensible heat exchanger 10, or a rectangular shape that is long, for example.

With the first path 11 and the second path 12 configured in this manner, a positive alternating current based on the first air flowing through the first path 11 and the second air flowing through the second path 12 is formed. The first path 11 communicates the sensible heat exchanger 10 in the left-right direction (lateral direction), and the second path 12 communicates the sensible heat exchanger 10 in the up-down direction (longitudinal direction). The first path 11 and the second path 12 are orthogonal to each other. Since the first passages 110 constituting the first path 11 and the second passages 120 constituting the second path 12 are alternately arranged in parallel with each other, sensible heat is exchanged between the first air and the second air in the adjacent first passages 110 and second passages 120. In the present embodiment, the positive alternating current based on the first air and the second air is formed by the first path 11 and the second path 12, but is not limited thereto. The sensible heat exchanger 10 may be configured such that the first path 11 and the second path 12 are formed by a pair-alternating current, a parallel current, or an orthogonal pair-alternating current based on the first air and the second air.

The support member 17 is box-shaped having an opening, and is formed of, for example, a resin plate member. The support member 17 is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10 with the opening facing the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10.

The water supply body 13 is placed on the upper side of the support member 17. The water supply body 13 is supported by the support member 17 and is disposed above the sensible heat exchanger 10. The water supply body 13 is provided above the sensible heat exchanger 10 by the width of both side surfaces of the support member 17 (the length in the vertical direction). The lower surface of the water supply body 13 is opposite to the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10, and a space in which the second air flows is formed between the lower surface of the water supply body 13 and the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. The space in which the second air flows corresponds to a second flow path in the heat exchanger unit 1, and communicates with the second flow path 12.

A hole corresponding to the shape of the water receiving unit 14 is provided in a portion of the upper surface of the support member 17 on which the water supply body 13 is placed, and water dropped from the water supply body 13 is supplied to the sensible heat exchanger 10 through the hole. Specifically, a joint is provided above the water receiving portion 14, and water is delivered from an inner diameter portion of the joint. As described above, the inlet of the second path 12 is provided to the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. The open ends of the respective second channels 120 constituting the second path 12 are respectively provided on the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. Therefore, the water dropped from the water supply body 13 flows into each second passage 120 from the open end of each second passage 120 constituting the second path 12.

A plurality of vent holes 171 (four vent holes 171 in the example shown in the figure) are provided in the left side surface of the support member 17, and the left side surface of the support member 17 is formed in a grid shape by the plurality of vent holes 171. The left side surface of the support member 17 provided with the ventilation hole 171 faces in the same direction as the left side surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10 where the inlet of the first path 11 is located. Air sucked by the air conditioner 100 mounted with the sensible heat exchanger 10 is split into first air flowing into the first path 11 and second air flowing into the second path 12 through the vent hole 171 provided in the left side surface of the support member 17.

The second air flows into each second channel 120 from the inlet of the second channel 12 provided on the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10, that is, the open end of each second channel 120 constituting the second channel 12, through the vent hole 171 provided on the left side surface of the support member 17.

The upper surface of the support member 17 includes a region on which the water supply body 13 is placed and a region on which the water supply body 13 is not placed, and the region on which the water supply body 13 is placed is provided on the right side surface side. The region on which the upper surface of the water supply body 13 is not placed is inclined from the upper edge of the left side surface on which the vent hole 171 is provided so as to be close to the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10.

A configuration example of the water supply body 13 will be explained. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration example of the water supply body 13 of the first embodiment. The water supply body 13 is rectangular in plan view (see fig. 3), and includes a case 16 serving as an outer shell. The water supplier 13 is positioned at right angles to the path direction of the first path 11 and is placed above the sensible heat exchanger 10. The water supply body 13 is supported above the sensible heat exchanger 10 by being placed on the upper surface of the support member 17 as described above. The region on which the upper surface of the water supply body 13 is placed is provided on the right side surface side of the support member 17.

The first path 11 is located below the support member 17, and the water supply body 13 provided on the right side surface side of the support member 17 is provided on the downstream side of the first path 11 in the flow direction of the first air. The water supplier 13 is located on the downstream side of the first path 11 above the inlet of the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10. That is, the water supply body 13 is disposed above the inlet of the second path 12, being offset to the outlet side from the inlet of the first path 11. In the first path 11 of the sensible heat exchanger 10, the temperature is lowered by water supplied from a first tank 71 (see fig. 8) described later as it approaches the water supply body 13. The temperature of the first air at the inlet of the first path 11 corresponds to the room temperature of the conditioned space, and is the highest temperature in the temperature distribution of the first air in the first path 11. In contrast, by providing the water supply body 13 at a position offset to the downstream side of the first path 11, that is, at the outlet side of the first path 11, the temperature difference between the first air and the water can be increased over the entire area of the first path 11, and the cooling efficiency of the first air can be improved.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a structural example of the water supply body 13. Fig. 4 is a schematic bottom view showing a structural example of the water supply body 13. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing a structural example of the water supply body 13. The water supply body 13 includes a box 16 as an outer shell having a rectangular shape in plan view, and the water supply body 13 is made of, for example, resin. The upper surface 161 of the water supply body 13 is provided with a cylindrical water receiving portion 14 and a plurality of ribs 150 radially extending from the water receiving portion 14.

The water receiving unit 14 is provided so as to be biased in one direction in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 161. The water receiving portion 14 is communicated with a second water supply passage 82 (see fig. 8). The second water supply passage 82 is a passage that branches from the water supply passage 8 (see fig. 8), and the water supply passage 8 extends from a first tank 71 (see fig. 8) described later. The surface of the upper surface 161 near the water receiving portion 14 is horizontal, and the upper surface 161 is inclined downward from a predetermined position as it goes rearward. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, when viewed from the left side surface 160, the upper surface 161 has a planar shape from the front end to the fifth longitudinal rib 152, and is inclined so as to be lower toward the rear from the fifth longitudinal rib 152 to the rear end. By making the surface near the water receiving unit 14 horizontal, the water dropping toward the center of the water receiving unit 14 is uniformly distributed to the flow paths 15 so as to draw concentric circles. By inclining the water receiving unit 14 from a position away from the water receiving unit, the water that has been separated out flows into the second channel 120 without being retained in the water flow path 15. As shown in fig. 3, the flow channel 15 is formed to have a larger channel width as it goes away from the water receiving portion 14, and therefore, when the upper surface 161 is a horizontal surface, it is considered that the flow velocity of the branched water decreases as it goes downstream. However, since the upper surface 161 is inclined, the divided water can be caused to flow into the second passages 120 without decreasing the flow velocity.

The water supplied from the second water supply path 82 is received by the water receiving portion 14, and then is split along the plurality of ribs 150 radially extending from the water receiving portion 14, and the split water drops into the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10. That is, the water supply body 13 functions as a water dispersion portion that disperses the water supplied from the first tank 71 to each of the plurality of second channels 120 constituting the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10.

The plurality of ribs 150 radially extending from the outer peripheral surface of the water receiving portion 14 are provided at equal intervals, for example, 6 mm. The uniform flow distribution effect can be improved by forming the pitches at equal intervals. The plurality of ribs 150 are formed in an L shape, a v shape, a 21274, a C shape, or a crank shape by being bent once or more from the water receiving portion 14 toward the edge portion on the long side of the upper surface 161.

Among the plurality of ribs 150 radially extending from the water receiving portion 14, the flow path 15 is formed by a groove formed by two adjacent ribs 150. That is, the flow paths 15 in the upper surface 161 of the water feeder 13 are each configured by a groove formed by two adjacent ribs 150 provided on the upper surface 161 of the water feeder 13. The water received by the water receiving unit 14 flows along the water flow path 15, that is, along the grooves formed by the two adjacent ribs 150, toward the edge of the upper surface 161 on the long side.

The angle formed by two adjacent ribs 150 is the same angle in all of the plurality of ribs 150 extending from the outer peripheral surface of the water receiving portion 14. Therefore, when the water received by the water receiving unit 14 is distributed to the flow paths 15, it is possible to suppress an increase in the difference in the amount of distributed water in the flow paths 15.

Each of the plurality of ribs 150 is branched into two parallel ribs 150 at a point close to the edge of the long side of the upper surface 161. That is, the plurality of ribs 150 extend from the water receiving portion 14 serving as the base end toward the edge portion on the long side of the upper surface 161, and are branched into two at the end portion 151 located at a point close to the edge portion. A longitudinal rib 152 extends from each end 151 of the two-branched rib 150. The vertical rib 152 is bent from the upper surface 161 of the water supply body 13 toward the side surface 160, and extends downward from above the side surface 160. The vertical rib 152 is formed of a pair of two parallel ribs extending vertically on the side surface 160 of the water supply body 13.

A V-shaped notch 162 is provided on the upper surface 161 of the water supply body 13 on the side of the short side opposite to the short side on which the water receiving portion 14 is provided. Among the ribs extending from the water receiving portion 14 toward the short side, a part of the ribs 150 is bent toward the inner wall surface formed by the V-shaped notch 162 to be vertical ribs 152. The vertical rib 152 extends downward from above the inner wall surface.

Two parallel ribs, that is, two parallel vertical ribs 152 are provided in parallel at equal intervals in the front-rear direction on each side surface 160 which becomes the long side and the inner wall surface formed by the V-shaped notch portion 162. Of the side surfaces 160 that become the long sides, the longitudinal ribs 152 provided on one side surface 160 and the longitudinal ribs 152 provided on the other side surface 160 are provided in a staggered manner in a plan view as shown in fig. 3 so as not to overlap in a side view. That is, as an example, the vertical rib 152 of each side surface 160 is provided such that the vertical rib 152 provided to the other side surface 160 is positioned between the vertical rib 152 provided to the one side surface 160 and the vertical rib 152 adjacent to the vertical rib 152 in the left side view shown in fig. 5. Similarly, in the inner wall surface formed by the V-shaped notch portion 162, the vertical ribs 152 provided on the inner wall surfaces facing each other are provided in a staggered shape.

By providing the longitudinal ribs 152 on the one side surface 160 and the other side surface 160 in this manner, the longitudinal ribs 152 can be provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the water supply body 13 along the flow direction of the first air. As described above, since the vertical ribs 152 are provided on the one side surface 160 and the other side surface 160, water can be dropped toward the different second passages 120 on the upstream side and the downstream side in the flow direction of the first air, and it is possible to suppress variation in temperature distribution due to uneven distribution of the dropping points of water from the water supply body 13, and to efficiently drop water toward the second path 12. For example, when the longitudinal ribs 152 of the side surfaces 160 are arranged in parallel in a row in the front-rear direction, they are provided at equal intervals. This allows water to be dropped at equal intervals, thereby improving cooling efficiency. Similarly, the vertical ribs 152 are provided on the inner wall surfaces of the V-shaped notch 162 facing each other. When the vertical ribs 152 provided on the inner wall surface are arranged in a row in the front-rear direction, the vertical ribs 152 are provided at equally spaced positions. As a result, water can be dropped into the second passages of the second path at equal intervals, and the cooling effect can be improved.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing the flow of air in the heat exchanger unit 1. Fig. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a main part of the water supply body 13 in the heat exchanger unit 1. In fig. 7, only a part of the sensible heat exchanger 10 is shown. The first air and the second air flow toward the heat exchanger unit 1 from the same side (left side) of the heat exchanger unit 1. As described previously, the first air flows into the inside of the sensible heat exchanger 10 from the inlet of the first path 11 located at the left side of the sensible heat exchanger 10, i.e., the respective open ends of the first channels 110. The second air flows into the inside of the sensible heat exchanger 10 from the inlet of the second path 12, i.e., the respective open ends of the second channels 120, located at the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10 after passing through the vent hole 171 formed at the left side surface of the support member 17, and the support member 17 is disposed in such a manner as to cover the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10. The arrows in fig. 6 indicating the second air indicate that the second air flows in from the inlet of the second path 12 located on the upper surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10 and flows downward, and the second air flows out from the outlet of the second path 12 located on the lower surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10 and flows backward.

The vertical rib 152 is formed of a pair of two parallel ribs extending vertically on the side surface 160 of the water supply body 13, and is provided corresponding to each of the second channels 120 constituting the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10. As shown in fig. 7, the water supply body 13 is placed on the upper portion of the sensible heat exchanger 10 in a state where the longitudinal ribs 152 are aligned with the second passages 120 constituting the second path 12. The water supply body 13 is placed on the upper portion of the sensible heat exchanger 10 such that the tip portions of the two ribs constituting the longitudinal rib 152 overlap the open ends of the second passages 120, respectively. The distance between two ribs constituting the longitudinal rib 152 is larger than the pitch width of the first channels 110 constituting the first path 11. Therefore, the water supply body 13 is placed on the upper portion of the sensible heat exchanger 10 such that the first passages 110 constituting the first path 11 are respectively positioned between two ribs constituting the longitudinal rib 152.

The water branched from the water receiving portion 14 flows between the rib 150 radially provided on the upper surface 161 of the water supply body 13 and the rib 150 adjacent to the rib 150, that is, in the water flow path 15 constituted by the adjacent two ribs 150. Water flowing down from upper surface 161 of water feed body 13 along side surface 160 or the inner wall surface formed by V-shaped notch 162 flows down along the outer surface sides of the two ribs constituting vertical rib 152. Since the two ribs constituting the vertical rib 152 are positioned at the open ends of the respective adjacent second channels 120 among the plurality of second channels 120 constituting the second path 12, water flowing down along the outer surface side of the vertical rib 152 can be dropped toward the open ends of the respective second channels 120.

In order to secure the pitch between the ribs 150 provided on the upper surface 161, the number of the vertical ribs 152 that can be formed on the side surface 160 is also limited. Therefore, the second path 12 without water dropping is generated on the side of the one side surface 160. On the other hand, since the vertical ribs 152 provided on the side surfaces 160 are formed at staggered positions, water can be dropped onto the second path 12 through the vertical ribs 152 provided on the other side surface 160 with respect to the second path 12 on which water does not drop on the side of one side surface 160. Similarly, the vertical ribs 152 provided at staggered positions on each of the inner wall surfaces formed by the V-shaped notch portions 162 can cause water to drop into the corresponding second paths 12. As described above, the longitudinal ribs 152 provided at the staggered positions can sufficiently secure the pitch between the ribs 150 provided on the upper surface 161, and the water supplied from the first tank 71 can be dropped to all of the second paths 12 in the sensible heat exchanger 10, thereby improving the cooling capacity in the sensible heat exchanger 10.

Fig. 8 is a schematic side sectional view showing a structural example of an air conditioner in which the heat exchanger unit 1 is mounted. The air conditioner having the heat exchanger unit 1 of the present embodiment mounted thereon includes a box-shaped casing 104, and is mounted on the floor of a space to be air-conditioned, such as a factory, for example, by casters 105 provided on the bottom of the casing 104. The mounting state of the air conditioner 100 shown in fig. 1 is shown in the vertical and horizontal directions as a normal usage mode of the air conditioner 100.

The air conditioner 100 includes: the tank unit 7 for storing water and the cooling unit 2 including the evaporation filter 21 and the heat exchanger unit 1 are, for example, an evaporation cooling type air conditioner 100. The vaporization filter 21 cools the air-conditioned space by lowering the ambient temperature using the vaporization heat of the water supplied from the tank unit 7. The air conditioner 100 cools the air-conditioned space by reducing the ambient temperature mainly using the sensible heat of the water supplied from the tank unit 7 by the sensible heat exchanger 10 included in the heat exchanger unit 1.

The casing 104 of the air conditioner 100 is provided with: a suction port 3, the suction port 3 sucking air of the air-conditioned space; a first blowout port 4 that blows out air (first air) cooled by the cooling unit 2 by passing through the cooling unit 2 including the sensible heat exchanger 10 and the vaporization filter 21 of the heat exchanger unit 1 to the air-conditioned space as supply air through the first blowout port 4; and a second air outlet 5, the second air outlet 5 blowing out, as exhaust air, air (second air) that has undergone total heat exchange with water by the sensible heat exchanger 10 and has undergone sensible heat exchange with the first air.

The first outlet 4 and the second outlet 5 are provided on the upper surface of the casing 104. The air conditioner 100 includes fans for sending the first air and the second air, and the fans include a first fan 61 for sending the first air and a second fan 62 for sending the second air.

The first fan 61 and the second fan 62 share the single fan motor 6, and are respectively coupled to shafts provided at both ends of the fan motor 6. A partition plate 63 is provided between the second fan 62 and the first fan 61. By this partition plate 63, the first air sent by the first fan 61 and the second air sent by the second fan 62 can be reliably prevented from being mixed.

The air conditioner 100 is provided with an intake flow path 32, a first flow path 41, and a second flow path 51 as air flow paths. The suction flow path 32 starts at the suction port 3 and communicates with the heat exchanger unit 1. That is, the heat exchanger unit 1 is provided downstream of the intake flow path 32 in the flow direction of the intake air flowing through the intake flow path 32. The first path 11 constitutes a part of the first flow path 41 communicating with the first blowout port 4. The second path 12 constitutes a part of the second flow path 51 communicating with the second outlet 5.

The intake air having passed through the intake flow path 32 flows into the heat exchanger unit 1 from the inlets of the first path 11 and the second path 12 provided in the heat exchanger unit 1, and is split into the first air flowing into the first path 11 and the second air flowing into the second path 12. Specifically, a flow dividing mechanism for dividing the intake air is formed by the first path 11 provided in the heat exchanger unit 1 and the vent hole 171.

As illustrated in the drawing, the first path 11 and the vent hole 171 are provided on a side surface (left side surface in the drawing) in the heat exchanger unit 1, and the suction port 3 provided on the side surface in the heat exchanger unit 1 similarly communicates with the first path 11 and the vent hole 171 serving as an inlet of the second path 12 through the suction flow path 32. A dust collection filter 31 is interposed between the suction port 3 and the first passage 11 and the vent hole 171, or in the middle of the first passage 11.

A drain pan 103 is provided below the outlet of the second path 12 in the sensible heat exchanger 10. The second flow path 51 extending from the drain pan 103 to the second blowout port 5 extends upward from the drain pan 103, and is provided inside the sensible heat exchanger 10 on the paper surface in the figure. In fig. 8, a second flow path 51 is provided behind the heat exchanger unit 1 in the depth direction of the drawing. Therefore, a vertically folded flow path is formed by the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 and the second flow path 51 from the drain pan 103 to the second blowout port 5. As described above, the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 constitutes a part of the second flow path 51 and is included in the second flow path 51. Therefore, the second flow path 51 includes a vertically folded portion extending downward from above the sensible heat exchanger 10 and extending upward after passing through the position where the drain pan 103 is located.

A second fan 62 for sending the second air is provided on the downstream side of the second flow path 51 from the drain pan 103 to the second outlet 5. The second flow path 51 extending from the drain pan 103 to the second outlet 5 extends upward, and the second fan 62 is provided above the drain pan 103. The second air sent by the second fan 62 is blown out from the second air outlet 5 as Exhaust Air (EA).

An evaporation filter 21 is provided at the end of the first path 11 of the sensible heat exchanger 10, i.e., on the downstream side of the outlet of the first path 11 in the flow direction of the first air. The vaporization filter 21 is disposed in the first path 11 and between the sensible heat exchanger 10 and the first fan 61.

The vaporization filter 21 is disposed such that one surface of the rectangular filter element faces the side surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10 on which the outlet of the first path 11 is disposed. The first flow path 41 extending from the vaporization filter 21 to the first blowout port 4 extends upward from the vaporization filter 21. A first fan 61 for sending the first air is provided on the downstream side of the first flow path 41 from the vaporizing filter 21 to the first blowout port 4. First fan 61 is provided above evaporation filter 21. The first air sent by the first fan 61 is blown out from the first blowout port 4 to the air-conditioned space as supply gas (SA).

As described above, the air conditioner 100 includes the tank unit 7 that stores the water supplied to the vaporizing filter 21 and the heat exchanger unit 1, and the tank unit 7 includes the first tank 71 and the second tank 72. The first tank 71 is, for example, a rectangular box having an opening formed in an upper portion thereof, and is provided below the vaporization filter 21 and the drain pan 103.

The first tank 71 stores water collected through the collection water passage 9, and the collection water passage 9 collects water remaining in the cooling unit 2. The recovery water passage 9 includes a first recovery water passage 91 and a second recovery water passage 92. The first tank 71 and the vaporization filter 21 communicate with each other via a first recovery water path 91. The first tank 71 and the drain pan 103 communicate via a second recovery water passage 92. The first recovery water passage 91 and the second recovery water passage 92 have ends on the first tank 71 side, that is, outlets of the first recovery water passage 91 and the second recovery water passage 92 face the opening of the first tank 71. As will be described in detail later, the water remaining in the cooling unit 2 is supplied from the first tank 71 to the vaporizing filter 21 and the heat exchanger unit 1, and remains in a liquid state without being vaporized.

A pump 101 is provided inside the first tank 71, and the pump 11 is used to supply the water stored in the first tank 71 to the vaporizing filter 21 and the heat exchanger unit 1. Pump 101 is not limited to being provided inside first tank 71, and the main body of pump 101 may be provided outside first tank 71, and water in first tank 71 may be transported through a water path that connects pump 101 and first tank 71.

The pump 101 is connected to a controller 102, for example, a microcomputer or the like, via a communication line, and is driven or stopped based on a control signal output from the controller 102. In the drawings, the controller 102 is shown as being provided at a lower portion of the air conditioner 100, but is not limited thereto. The controller 102 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the flow path wall forming the second flow path 51 from the sensible heat exchanger 10 to the second blowout port 5, for example, and may be cooled by the second air via the flow path wall of the second flow path 51.

The pump 101 communicates with the vaporization filter 21 and the sensible heat exchanger 10 via the supply water path 8. Therefore, the first tank 71 communicates with the vaporization filter 21 and the sensible heat exchanger 10 via the pump 101 and the feed water path 8. The water supply path 8 includes a first water supply path 81 and a second water supply path 82, and branches into the first water supply path 81 and the second water supply path 82 in the vicinity of the vaporization filter 21 and the sensible heat exchanger 10. The first water supply passage 81 communicates with the vaporization filter 21. The second water supply path 82 communicates with the sensible heat exchanger 10.

The water supplied from the first water supply passage 81 is temporarily retained by the first water supply unit 211 provided above the vaporization filter 21, and drips down from the water supply hole provided in the first water supply unit 211 toward the vaporization filter 21 to permeate into the vaporization filter 21. The water supplied from the second water supply channel 82 is dropped into the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 via the water supply body 13 provided at the upper portion of the sensible heat exchanger 10.

The pump 101 provided in the first tank 71 feeds water from the first tank 71 to the vaporization filter 21 and the sensible heat exchanger 10, and the water remaining in a liquid state without being vaporized in the vaporization filter 21 and the sensible heat exchanger 10 flows back to the first tank 71 by gravity. That is, the first tank 71, the supply water passage 8, the cooling unit 2, and the recovery water passage 9 form a water circulation passage.

The water supply passage 8 is branched into a first water supply passage 81 and a second water supply passage 82 corresponding to the vaporization filter 21 and the heat exchanger unit 1 included in the cooling unit 2. The recovery water passage 9 includes a first recovery water passage 91 and a second recovery water passage 92 corresponding to the vaporization filter 21 and the heat exchanger unit 1 included in the cooling unit 2. Therefore, the circulation water path includes a water path in which the vaporization filter 21 and the heat exchanger unit 1 are arranged in parallel, the vaporization filter 21 is formed by the first supply water path 81, the vaporization filter 21, and the first recovery water path 91, and the heat exchanger unit 1 is formed by the second supply water path 82, the second path 12 of the heat exchanger unit 1, and the second recovery water path 92.

Of the volume flow rate per unit time of the water that is conveyed by the driving of the pump 101, the volume flow rate of the first supply water passage 81 that is the vaporization filter 21 system water passage is smaller than the volume flow rate of the second supply water passage 82 that is the heat exchanger unit 1 system water passage. For example, the volume flow rate of the first water supply channel 81 may be 1/10 of the volume flow rate of the second water supply channel 82 by setting the volume flow rate of the first water supply channel 81 to 0.3L/min and the volume flow rate of the second water supply channel 82 to 3L/min. This can suppress the amount of water vapor blown out to the air-conditioned space together with the first air, and increase the amount of water used in the sensible heat exchanger 10 to cool the second air by sensible heat, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency in the cooling unit 2.

The air conditioner 100 sucks air in an air-conditioned space from the suction port 3, and the sucked air flows into the heat exchanger unit 1 through the suction flow path 32 and the dust collection filter 31. Inlets of the first path 11 (SA: air supply side path) and the second path 12 (EA: air discharge side path) of the heat exchanger unit 1 are provided on the side surface of the heat exchanger unit 1 in correspondence with an outlet of the suction flow path 32, so that the suction air is split into the first air (SA) flowing through the first path 11 and the second air (EA) flowing through the second path 12.

The water supplied from the first tank 71 is dropped to the second path 12 via the water supply body 13 provided at the upper portion of the sensible heat exchanger 10. That is, the second path 12 is in a state where the second air and the water dropped from the water supply body 13 are mixed. The water stored in the first tank 71 is water recovered from the gasification filter 21 and is water cooled by the heat of gasification. Therefore, the water temperature of the water supplied from the first tank 71 is lower than the temperature of the second air immediately after flowing into the second path 12. The second air exchanges heat with water dropped from the water supply body 13. That is, the second air is cooled by the water. In addition, as described above, the water dropped from the water supply body 13 is distributed to the respective second passages 120 constituting the second path 12 and drops toward the inside of the second passages 120, and therefore, the surface area of the water in contact with the second air increases. Thereby, a part of the water dropped from the water supply body 13 is vaporized, and the second air is also cooled by the vaporization heat.

The first air flowing in the first path 11 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 is in a positive communication with the second air flowing in the second path 12, so that sensible heat exchange is performed between the first air and the second air. As described above, the second air flowing through the second path 12 is cooled by the water supplied from the first tank 71, and the first air is cooled by the second air cooled by the water supplied from the first tank 71.

The first air having passed through the first path 11 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 flows into the first flow path 41 from the sensible heat exchanger 10 to the first blowout port 4. In the first flow path 41, an evaporation filter 21 is provided downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 10, and the first air passes through the evaporation filter 21.

The water supplied from the first tank 71 is dropped toward the vaporization filter 21 via the first water supply portion 211 provided at the upper portion of the vaporization filter 21. Since the inside of the first flow path 41 is maintained at a negative pressure, water supplied from the first tank 71 is sucked into the inside of the gasification filter 21 through the water supply hole provided in the bottom surface of the first water supply unit 211, and penetrates into the gasification filter 21. The water permeated into the vaporization filter 21 is promoted to be vaporized by the first air passing through the vaporization filter 21, and is vaporized, that is, evaporated to be water vapor included in the first air. The first air is cooled by the heat of vaporization, and the temperature of the first air is lowered. The cooled first air is blown out by the first fan 61 from the first outlet 4 to the air-conditioned space as Supply Air (SA).

With such a configuration, the first air blown out as the Supply Air (SA) into the air-conditioned space can be cooled in two stages including the primary cooling by the sensible heat exchanger 10 and the secondary cooling by the gasification filter 21. Therefore, for example, the temperature of the first air can be further reduced as compared with the direct gasification system using only the gasification filter 21. At this time, the first water supply part 211 may be replaced with the water supply body 13.

The second air flowing into the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 is mixed with water supplied by dropping from the water supply 13, and is sent toward the outlet of the second path 12 located below the sensible heat exchanger 10. The second path 12 extends downward from above the sensible heat exchanger 10 in a region where a flow orthogonal to the first path 11 is formed, and therefore, the second air mixed with the water supplied from the water supply body 13 flows downward from above the sensible heat exchanger 10.

A drain pan 103 is provided downstream of the outlet of the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10, and the second flow path 51 from the drain pan 103 to the second blowout port 5 extends upward from the drain pan 103. The second flow path 51 is formed in the rear direction, which is the depth direction of fig. 8. Therefore, the second air mixed with the water supplied from the water supply body 13 flows out from the outlet of the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10, and then turns back upward and downward with the position where the drain pan 103 is located as the lowest point, and flows. That is, the second flow path 51 including the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 includes a vertically folded portion extending downward from above the sensible heat exchanger 10, and extending upward after passing through the position where the drain pan 103 is located.

When the second air mixed with the water supplied from the water supply body 13 passes through the folded portion, that is, when the flow direction changes from the downward flow direction to the upward flow direction, a centrifugal force is generated. Since the water flowing together with the second air has a higher specific gravity than the air, the water is deflected toward the outer peripheral side of the folded portion by centrifugal force, and is separated from the second air, that is, separated into gas and liquid.

The water separated (gas-liquid separated) from the second air temporarily remains in the drain pan 103, and is collected by the first tank 71 via the second collection water channel 92 provided in the lower portion of the drain pan 103. The water adhering to the inner wall surface of the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 also moves to the outlet of the second path 12 by gravity, and drips from the outlet, thereby being retained by the drain pan 103 and being collected by the first tank 71 via the second collection water channel 92.

The portion of the second path 12 of the sensible heat exchanger 10 extending downward from above, the drain pan 103 provided below the outlet of the second path 12, and the second flow path 51 extending upward from the drain pan 103 constitute a gas-liquid separation mechanism that separates water supplied from the water supply 13 from the second air mixed with the water. The gas-liquid separation mechanism separates water from the second air, thereby suppressing an increase in absolute humidity of the second air.

The second air having passed through the drain pan 103 flows into the second flow path 51 from the drain pan 103 to the second blow-out port 5. The second flow path 51 is provided between a side surface of the sensible heat exchanger 10 and an inner surface of the casing 104 facing the side surface, for example, and the second air is sent from the drain pan 103 to a fan chamber on which the fan motor 6 and the second fan 62 are placed via the second flow path 51. That is, the fan motor 6 is provided in the middle of the second flow path 51, and is cooled by the second air. Since the fan motor 6 is provided on the downstream side of the gas-liquid separation mechanism, the fan motor 6 can be cooled efficiently by the second air from which water has been separated. The second air cooled by the fan motor 6 is blown out from the second air outlet 5 as exhaust air.

As described in the present embodiment, in the heat exchanger unit 1, since the water supply body is disposed on the downstream side of the first air, the second air cooled by the water from the water supply body can efficiently cool the first air on the downstream side, and the cooled first air can be blown out as supply air to the air-conditioned space.

Further, the following configuration may be adopted:

the heat exchanger unit is provided with: a heat exchanger including a first path through which a second air for exchanging heat with the first air flowing through the first path flows, and a second path having a plurality of passages, the first path and the second path being alternately arranged in parallel; and a water supply body that is provided on an upper side of the heat exchanger and on a downstream side of the first air of the first path in the heat exchanger. The water supply body is provided with: a water receiving unit that receives water to be supplied to the heat exchanger; and a plurality of water flow paths through which the water received by the water receiving portion flows. The plurality of water flow paths extend toward each of the plurality of passages constituting the second path.

The water supply body has a rectangular shape extending in a direction in which the first path and the second path are arranged in parallel, the water receiving portion has a cylindrical shape receiving water on an upper surface and is disposed on the upper surface of the water supply body, the water flow path extends between adjacent ribs extending radially from an outer peripheral surface of the water receiving portion on the upper surface of the water supply body, the ribs are bifurcated, and a longitudinal rib extending downward from each end of the bifurcated rib is provided on a side surface of the water supply body.

Further, the longitudinal ribs extending downward from both end portions branched from the ribs extend to second air inlets of the passages of the second path adjacent to the heat exchanger, respectively, and the longitudinal ribs that transmit the water received by the water receiving portion are located at open ends of the passages of the second path.

In addition, the water supply body has two side surfaces opposed to each other and an inner wall surface formed between the two side surfaces, and the longitudinal rib is provided to the two side surfaces and the inner wall surface.

The air conditioner is provided with: an air suction inlet; a heat exchanger including a first path having a plurality of passages and through which a first air from the suction port flows, and a second path having a plurality of passages and through which a second air from the suction port flows, the first air of the first path exchanging heat with the second air of the second path; a first outlet port that blows out the first air having passed through the heat exchanger by the first fan to a space to be air-conditioned as supply air; and a second air outlet that blows out, as exhaust air, the second air that has passed through the heat exchanger by a second fan. A water supply body is provided on an upper side of the heat exchanger and on a downstream side of the first air of the first path in the heat exchanger. The water supply body is provided with: a water receiving unit that receives water to be supplied to the second path; and a plurality of water flow passages through which water received by the water receiving unit flows, the plurality of water flow passages extending toward each of a plurality of passages constituting the second passage, and a gasification filter provided at a position facing a downstream-side outlet of the first air in the first passage of the heat exchanger, at a position upstream of the first fan, and to which water is supplied.

The water supply body has a rectangular shape extending in a direction in which the first path and the second path are arranged in parallel, the water receiving portion has a cylindrical shape receiving water on an upper surface and is disposed on the upper surface of the water supply body, the water flow path extends between adjacent ribs extending radially from an outer peripheral surface of the water receiving portion on the upper surface of the water supply body, each rib is bifurcated, and a longitudinal rib extending downward from each end of the bifurcated rib is provided on a side surface of the water supply body.

The air conditioner further includes a motor that drives the first fan and the second fan in common, the motor being disposed between the second air outlet and the downstream side outlet of the second air in the second path of the heat exchanger, and a partition plate being disposed between the first fan and the second fan so that the first air is not mixed with the second air.

It should be understood that all points of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the above-described meanings, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A water supply body provided above a heat exchanger including a first path and a second path through which second air for performing heat exchange with first air flowing through the first path flows, the water supply body comprising:

a water receiving unit that receives water to be supplied to the heat exchanger; and

a plurality of water flow paths through which the water received by the water receiving portion flows,

the plurality of water flow paths extend toward each of the plurality of passages constituting the second path.

2. The water supply according to claim 1,

the water receiving part is in a cylindrical shape,

the plurality of water flow paths extend radially from the outer peripheral surface of the water receiving unit.

3. The water supply according to claim 2,

a plurality of ribs radially extending from an outer peripheral surface of the water receiving portion,

the plurality of water flow paths are respectively formed between adjacent ribs,

the angles formed by the adjacent two ribs are the same in the plurality of ribs extending from the outer peripheral surface of the water receiving portion.

4. The water supply of claim 3,

each end of the plurality of ribs is bifurcated,

the ends of the two branches are respectively aligned with two channels adjacent to the second path.

5. The water supply of claim 4,

the plurality of ribs are respectively extended in an upstream side region and a downstream side region in the flow direction of the first air,

ends of the ribs extending in the area on the upstream side and ends of the ribs extending in the area on the downstream side are aligned with mutually different passage positions of the second path.

6. The water supply of claim 5,

the end portions of the ribs extending in the upstream region and the end portions of the ribs extending in the downstream region are staggered.

7. The water supply body according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

the water supply body is a rectangular box body,

the ribs forming the water receiving part and the water flowing path are provided on an upper surface of the case,

longitudinal ribs extending downward from respective ends of the two branched ribs are provided on a side surface of the case.

8. The water supply of claim 7,

the distance between the longitudinal ribs extending downward from the respective ends of the two branched ribs along the side surface of the case is larger than the pitch width of the respective channels constituting the first path,

the channels of the first path are located between the longitudinal ribs.

9. The water supply body according to claim 7 or 8,

a V-shaped notch is provided in the upper surface of the case,

the longitudinal ribs are provided on both inner surfaces formed by the cutout portions.

10. The water supply body according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the water supply body is disposed on a downstream side of the first path in the heat exchanger in a flow direction of the first air.

11. A heat exchanger unit is characterized by comprising:

a water supply according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and

a heat exchanger including a first path and a second path through which a second air for performing sensible heat exchange with the first air flowing in the first path flows,

the water supply body is disposed at an upper portion of the heat exchanger.

12. An air conditioner is characterized by comprising:

a water supply according to any one of claims 1 to 10;

a first outlet port from which the first air passed through the heat exchanger is blown out as supply air to an air-conditioned space; and

a second air outlet from which the second air that has passed through the heat exchanger is blown out as exhaust air;

the water supply body is disposed at an upper portion of the heat exchanger.