JP2001153393A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of removing bacteria in a heat exchanger as a main air channel of the conditioner and a bacteria breeding place and a drain pan and supplying a clean air into a room. SOLUTION: The air conditioner comprises a heat exchanger a3 contained in a housing of an indoor unit, a drain pan M5, a drain pump M6 for draining the drain stored in the pan M5, and an ozone water supply unit M150 for supplying an ozone water to the exchanger a3 and the pan M5. The ozone water is supplied from the unit M150 to the exchanger a3 and the pan M5 at an arbitrarily predetermined time during operating of the indoor unit to remove bacteria in the exchanger a3 as the main air channel of the conditioner and the bacteria breeding place and the pan M5 and to supply the clean air to the room.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner capable of performing a sterilization treatment using ozone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional air conditioner capable of performing a sterilization treatment by using ozone is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-3235.
No. 66 is disclosed.

Hereinafter, the conventional air conditioner will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional air conditioner.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a suction grill a1, a prefilter a2, and a heat exchanger a3 for introducing indoor air.
And an air outlet 11b through which the introduced air flows through the room. The blower M4 includes a motor M41, a rotary drive shaft M42, and a substantially cylindrical fan M43, and introduces room air into the air flow path PH in the housing 11.

M3 is a humidifier main body M31, a pair of end plates M32 opposed to each other in the direction of the flow path PH of the air, a large number of pipes M33 held in an open state, a water supply tank M34,
Water supply pipe M35, water supply tank M34 from water supply source not shown
The humidifying means comprises a float switch M36, an open / close valve M37 of a water supply pipe M35, and a pipe M38 from the water supply tank M34 to the humidifier body M31.

M1 is an ozone deodorizing and disinfecting means comprising an ozone decomposition catalyst M12 provided with a heater M13 and a bubbling mechanism M130 comprising an ozone gas generation chamber M131, a pressure pump M132, and an ozone gas discharge pipe M133.

The operation of the conventional air conditioner configured as described above will be described below.

First, when the fan M43 of the blower M4 is rotationally driven, the indoor air is supplied to the air inlet 11
a is introduced into the air flow path PH in the housing 11 from a.

In the introduced air, first, dust having a large particle diameter is collected by the pre-filter a2, and then heat exchange is performed with the air on the through-flow side by the heat exchanger a3.
Flowed downstream.

On the other hand, in the ozone gas generation chamber M131,
A well-known ozonizer (not shown) for generating an ozone gas by generating a creeping discharge on a dielectric material sandwiched between the induction electrode and the discharge electrode is provided, and the generated ozone gas is supplied to a pressure pump. M132 is introduced into the humidifier body M31.

The pressure pump M132 includes a humidifier body M31.
The ozone gas is connected to an ozone gas discharge pipe M133 disposed therein, and the ozone gas is bubbled into water from the ozone gas discharge pipe M133. Ozone gas discharge pipe M133
Is located at a position where the humidifier body M3 does not interfere with each pipe M33.
1 are arranged horizontally.

The ozone gas supplied by the bubbling mechanism M130 deodorizes and removes water in the humidifier body M31. Then, the ozone gas passes through the pipe M33, is mixed with the air in the flow path PH, and flows to the ozone gas decomposition catalyst M12.

The air mixed with the ozone gas is
It is decomposed by the ozone gas decomposition catalyst M12 and discharged from the air discharge port 11b. As a result, a deodorizing and sterilizing action similar to that of a normal ozone deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus is achieved.

[0015]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, the ozone deodorizing and disinfecting means M1 is provided with an air inlet 11a comprising a suction grill a1, a prefilter a2, and a heat exchanger a3 for introducing indoor air. Is disposed on the downstream side, so that deodorization and elimination on the downstream side of the ozone deodorization and elimination means M1 is possible, but deodorization and elimination on the upstream side of the ozone deodorization and elimination means M1 is impossible. was there.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and is capable of removing a heat exchanger which is a main air flow path of an air conditioner and a breeding place of bacteria and a drain pan,
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can blow clean air into a room.

[0017]

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a heat exchanger incorporated in a housing of an indoor unit, a drain pan, a drain pump for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and a heat pump. It is provided with an exchanger and an ozone water supply device for supplying ozone water to the drain pan.

Thus, the heat exchanger, which is the main air flow path of the air conditioner and also serves as a breeding place for bacteria, and the drain pan can be sterilized, and clean air can be blown into the room.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a heat exchanger built in a housing of an indoor unit, a drain pan, a drain pump for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and a heat pump. An ozone water supply device for supplying ozone water to the drain and the drain pan, and supplying ozone water from the ozone water supply device to the heat exchanger and the drain pan at any given time during the operation of the indoor unit. The heat exchanger, which is the main air flow path of the air conditioner and also serves as a breeding place for bacteria, has the function of removing bacteria from the drain pan and blowing clean air into the room.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat exchanger incorporated in a housing of an indoor unit, a drain pan, a drain pump for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and an ozone pump provided to the heat exchanger and the drain pan. An ozone water supply device for supplying water, wherein the ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply device to the heat exchanger and the drain pan when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped. Has the effect of suppressing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device is configured to be held in a drain pan. The ozone water can be held at a higher water level than the mouth, and has an effect that a wide range of bacteria can be removed from the drain pan.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the ozone water is supplied and drained simultaneously with the supply of the ozone water until a predetermined time elapses from the start of the supply of the ozone water. In addition, drain water remaining at a lower water level than the drain pump water supply port can be drained, and the action of increasing the concentration of ozone water retained in the drain pan and increasing the sterilization ability of the drain pan is achieved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, after the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device is held in the drain pan for a predetermined time, the ozone water is drained by operating the drain pump. It is configured in,
After the eradication of the drain pan is completed, the ozone water having a reduced eradication capacity becomes residual drain water and has an effect of preventing the bacteria from propagating again.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the interval of supplying ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is longer when the operation mode is heating than when cooling or dehumidification is performed. In the heating season in which bacteria do not grow, it is possible to prevent the excessive operation of the ozone water supply device and the drain pump by increasing the sterilization interval, thereby conserving energy.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is lower when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. It is configured to be long,
In a room temperature condition in which bacteria do not easily proliferate, by extending the sterilization interval, an excessive operation of the ozone water supply device and the drain pump can be prevented, and energy can be saved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifth aspect, the interval at which ozone water is supplied to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is smaller when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity. It is configured to be long,
In a humidity condition in which bacteria do not easily proliferate, by extending the sterilization interval, an excessive operation of the ozone water supply device and the drain pump can be prevented, and energy can be saved.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is set to room temperature when the room temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature or when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity. Is configured to be longer than when the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature and the humidity is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity. It has the effect of preventing excessive operation of the drain pump and saving energy.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an air inlet 11a comprising a suction grill a1 for introducing indoor air and a pre-filter a2, a heat exchanger a3, and an air exhaust for flowing introduced air into the room. The housing is a hollow body having an outlet 11b. The blower M4 has a motor M41,
It is composed of a rotary drive shaft M42 and a fan M43, and introduces room air into the air flow path in the housing 11.

M3 is a humidifier body M31, a water supply tank M
34, a water supply pipe M35 from a water supply source (not shown), a float switch M36 of a water supply tank M34, an open / close valve M37 of the water supply pipe M35, and a humidifier body M3 from the water supply tank M34.
1 is a humidifying means comprising a pipe M38 to the humidifier.

M1 is an ozone decomposition catalyst M12 provided with a heater M13, a bubbling mechanism M130 comprising an ozone gas generation chamber M131, a pressure pump M132 and an ozone gas discharge pipe M133, and an ozone gas supply pipe M14.
And an ozone deodorizing and disinfecting means including an ozone water supply device M150 including an ozone water supply pipe M151 and an ozone water supply pump M152.

M5 is a drain pan, M6 is a drain pump,
M7 is an overflow switch for operating the drain pump M6.

Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above
The operation of the air conditioner according to the above will be described below.

First, the ozone gas supplied by the bubbling mechanism M130 passes through the ozone gas supply pipe M14 and is mixed with the air in the flow path.
Flowed to 12. Then, the air mixed with the ozone gas is decomposed by the ozone gas decomposition catalyst M12 and discharged from the air outlet 11b. As a result, a deodorizing and sterilizing action similar to that of a normal ozone deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus is achieved.

At this time, the ozone water supply device M150 is
By operating the ozone water supply pump M152 at any given time during the operation of the indoor unit and supplying ozone water from the ozone water supply pipe M151 to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5, the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 are connected. Eradicate the bacteria.
Also, when the water level of the drain pan M5 is equal to or higher than a certain level,
When the overflow switch M7 operates, the drain pump M
By the operation of 6, the drain water is discharged out of the drawing.

Accordingly, the heat exchanger a3, which is the main air flow path of the air conditioner and the breeding place of bacteria, and the drain pan M5 can be sterilized, and clean air can be blown into the room.

As described above, the air conditioner of this embodiment is
A heat exchanger a3 built in the housing of the indoor unit and a drain pan M
5, a drain pump M6, and an ozone water supply device M150
Since ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 at any given time during the operation of the indoor unit, the ozone water is a main air flow path of the air conditioner, In addition, the heat exchanger a3 serving as a breeding place for bacteria and the drain pan M5 can be sterilized, and clean air can be blown into the room.

Note that the air conditioner of this embodiment is provided with an ozone water supply device M15 at any given time during the operation of the indoor unit.
Although ozone water is supplied from 0 to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5, ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 at an arbitrary fixed time while the indoor unit is stopped. Is also good.

The ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 at an arbitrary fixed time during the stoppage of the operation of the indoor unit. Even when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped, the effect of suppressing the growth of bacteria in the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, M8 is an ozone water supply device M
An ozone water supply stop switch for stopping supply of ozone water from 150.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner according to the first embodiment is further provided with an ozone water supply stop switch M8.

Embodiment 2 of the present invention configured as described above
The operation of the air conditioner according to the above will be described below.
Note that the same components as those of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

By providing the ozone water supply stop switch M8 below the water level at which the overflow switch M7 operates, the ozone water supply device M150 switches the ozone water supply pump M152 before the overflow switch M7 operates and the drain pump operates. Since the ozone water supply can be stopped and stopped, the ozone water can be held on the drain pan M5, and a wide range of bacteria can be removed from the drain pan M5.

As described above, the air conditioner of this embodiment is
An ozone water supply stop switch M8 is provided so that the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held on the drain pan M5, and the ozone water can be held at a higher water level than the drain pump water supply port. A wide range of bacteria can be removed from the drain pan M5. Thus, the heat exchanger a3, which is the main air flow path of the air conditioner and the breeding place of bacteria, can be disinfected, and especially the drain pan M5 can be disinfected over a wide range, and clean air is blown indoors. be able to.

In the air conditioner of this embodiment, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held on the drain pan M5. May be drained simultaneously with the supply of ozone water.

During the period from the start of the supply of ozone water to the elapse of a predetermined time, the ozone water supplied to the heat exchanger a3 is drained simultaneously with the supply of ozone water so that the drain pan M
Before reaching the top 5, drain water remaining particularly at the water level lower than the drain pump water supply port, which is generated during the cooling operation, is drained, and then ozone water is supplied. The concentration of the ozone water held in the drain pan M5 is increased, and the effect of increasing the sterilization ability of the drain pan M5 is obtained.

In the air conditioner of this embodiment, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held in the drain pan M5.
After the ozone water supplied from is held in the drain pan M5 for a predetermined time, the drain water may be drained by operating the drain pump M6.

After the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held in the drain pan M5 for a predetermined time, the drain water is drained by the operation of the drain pump M6. The effect is obtained that the ozone water of which the amount has decreased becomes residual drain water and bacteria are prevented from growing again.

In the air conditioner of this embodiment, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held in the drain pan M5, but the interval between the supply of the ozone water to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is assumed. May be longer when the operation mode is heating than when cooling or dehumidification.

The interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is set longer when the operation mode is heating than when cooling or dehumidification is performed. , The effect of preventing excessive operation of the ozone water supply device M150 and the drain pump M6 and saving energy can be obtained.

In the air conditioner of this embodiment, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held in the drain pan M5. However, the interval between the supply of the ozone water to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is assumed. May be longer when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature.

The interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is made longer when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. By increasing the interval, an effect of preventing excessive operation of the ozone water supply device M150 and the drain pump M6 and achieving energy saving can be obtained.

In the air conditioner of this embodiment, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held in the drain pan M5. However, the interval at which the ozone water is supplied to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is set. May be longer when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity.

The interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is made longer when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity. Ozone water supply device M150 and drain pump M6
The effect of preventing excessive operation and saving energy can be obtained.

In the air conditioner of this embodiment, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device M150 is held in the drain pan M5. However, the interval at which the ozone water is supplied to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is set. May be made longer when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature or when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature and the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity.

The interval at which ozone water is supplied to the heat exchanger a3 and the drain pan M5 is longer when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature or when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature and the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity. By doing so, under conditions other than high-temperature and high-humidity conditions in which bacteria can easily propagate, by increasing the sterilization interval, an excessive operation of the ozone water supply device and the drain pump can be prevented, and the effect of saving energy can be obtained.

[0059]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention provides a heat exchanger built in a housing of an indoor unit, a drain pan, a drain pump for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and the heat pump. An ozone water supply device for supplying ozone water to the exchanger and the drain pan, wherein ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply device to the heat exchanger and the drain pan at any given time during the operation of the indoor unit. The heat exchanger, which is the main air flow path of the air conditioner and is a breeding place for bacteria, and the drain pan can be sterilized, and clean air can be blown into the room.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is configured such that when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped, the ozone water is supplied to the heat exchanger and the drain pan. be able to.

Further, the invention described in claim 3 is the first invention.
Or in the invention described in 2, the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device is configured to be held in the drain pan, and the ozone water can be held at a higher water level than the drain pump water supply port, A wide range of bacteria can be removed from drain pans.

The invention described in claim 4 is the same as the invention described in claim 3.
In the invention described in the above, during the time from the start of the supply of ozone water to the elapse of a predetermined time, the drainage is performed simultaneously with the supply of the ozone water, and the water remaining in the lower water level portion than the drain pump water supply port is formed. Drain water can be drained, and the concentration of ozone water retained in the drain pan can be increased to increase the sterilization capacity of the drain pan.

The invention described in claim 5 is the same as the invention described in claim 4.
In the invention described in the above, after the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device is held in the drain pan for a predetermined time, it is configured to be drained by operating the drain pump, and after the sterilization of the drain pan is completed. Ozone water having a reduced sterilization ability becomes residual drain water, and it is possible to prevent bacteria from propagating again.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is longer when the operation mode is heating than when cooling or dehumidification. In the heating season in which bacteria do not grow, it is possible to prevent excessive operation of the ozone water supply device and the drain pump by extending the sterilization interval to save energy.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is lower when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. It is configured to be long,
In a room temperature condition in which bacteria do not easily proliferate, by extending the sterilization interval, an excessive operation of the ozone water supply device and the drain pump can be prevented, and energy can be saved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the interval between the supply of ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is smaller when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity. It is configured to be long,
In a humidity condition in which bacteria are difficult to propagate, by extending the sterilization interval, an excessive operation of the ozone water supply device and the drain pump can be prevented, and energy can be saved.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the interval at which ozone water is supplied to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is set to room temperature when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature or when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity. Is configured to be longer than when the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature and the humidity is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity. Excessive operation of the drain pump can be prevented to save energy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of Embodiment 1 of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of Embodiment 2 of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 a3 Heat exchanger M5 Drain pan M6 Drain pump M150 Ozone water supply device M8 Ozone water supply stop switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Okeya 4-5-2-5 Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. (72) Kinko Tazumi, inventor Kinko Takada, Higashiosaka-shi 4-5-2-5 Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masatoshi Takahashi 4-2-2-5 Takaida Hondori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 2-5-2 Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd., 4-5-2, Hondori (72) Inventor Hiroto Naka 4-2-5 Takaida Hondori, Osaka, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd. 4-2-5 Takaidahondori, Osaka City Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L050 AA10 BF02 3L051 BE00 BJ10

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A heat exchanger built in a housing of an indoor unit, a drain pan, a drain pump for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and an ozone water supply for supplying ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan. An air conditioner comprising an apparatus, wherein ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply device to the heat exchanger and the drain pan at an arbitrary fixed time during the indoor unit operation. 2. A heat exchanger built in a housing of the indoor unit, a drain pan, a drain pump for discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and an ozone water supply for supplying ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan. An air conditioner comprising an apparatus, wherein the ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply device to the heat exchanger and the drain pan when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped. 3. The ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device is held in a drain pan.
Or the air conditioner according to 2. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the drainage is performed simultaneously with the supply of the ozone water until a predetermined time elapses from the start of the supply of the ozone water. 5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply device is retained in a drain pan for a predetermined time and then drained by operating a drain pump. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the interval of supplying the ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is longer when the operation mode is heating than when the operation mode is cooling or dehumidification. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein an interval at which ozone water is supplied to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is longer when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. . 8. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein an interval of supplying the ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is longer when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity. . 9. An interval for supplying ozone water to the heat exchanger and the drain pan is longer when the room temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature or when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity than when the room temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature and the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein: