JP2003240260A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dissolve a problem that bacterium contained in air can be reliably sterilized when an ultraviolet lamp is lighted. <P>SOLUTION: A refrigerating cycle consisting of a compressor 24, an evaporator 22, a condenser 23, and a centrifugal blower 11 is incorporated in a body 1. A plane sterilizing lamp 27 irradiates air, sucked through front suction ports 6 and 7, with ultraviolet rays 27i. Visible radiation light 27j emitted from visible light emitting surface 27m of the plane sterilizing lamp 27 is detected by a photo sensor 35. When lighting of the plane sterilizing lamp 27 is detected by the photo sensor 35, a microcomputer 45 to control a motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11 rotates the motor 12 through low speed rotation without fail. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for irradiating air with ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet lamp to sterilize bacteria contained in the air.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional air conditioner is disclosed in JP-A-1-234.
As described in Japanese Patent No. 729 (F24F 1/00), when the blower rotates, air is sucked into the main body from the intake port and dehumidified by the evaporator, and further, this dehumidified air emits light from an ultraviolet lamp. Irradiate the ultraviolet rays that are
Bacteria contained in the air can be sterilized and clean air can be blown out from the air outlet.

However, in the above structure, when the number of revolutions of the blower is increased in order to drastically reduce the humidity in the room while the ultraviolet lamp is turned on, the flow velocity of the air flowing from the intake port to the outlet port becomes faster. , The irradiation time of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet lamp is shortened, and the sterilization dose of the ultraviolet light necessary to kill the bacteria is reduced, and bacteria such as Escherichia coli, typhoid bacterium, Shigella, etc., which are harmful to the human body, are sufficiently sterilized. There was a problem that it could not be done.

In order to solve this problem, a method of increasing the sterilization line illuminance of the ultraviolet lamp can be considered. However, this method requires a complicated shield structure for preventing ultraviolet rays from leaking from the main body, resulting in cost reduction. As it gets higher,
There is a drawback that the ultraviolet lamp becomes large.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of surely sterilizing bacteria contained in the air with a simple structure without increasing the size of an ultraviolet lamp.

[0006]

According to the present invention, an intake port and an exhaust port are formed in a main body, and a conditioning means for conditioning air in the main body, and air is sucked from the intake port and exhausted from the exhaust port. A blower for, a UV lamp that irradiates the sucked air with ultraviolet rays to sterilize it, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the harmony means and the blower, and lamp detection that detects whether or not the UV lamp is lit Means
The operation control unit is characterized in that, when the lamp detection unit detects that the ultraviolet lamp is lit, the number of rotations is smaller than when the lamp detection unit does not detect that the ultraviolet lamp is lit.

With the above structure, when the operation control section is operated, the blower rotates and air is taken into the main body through the intake port, and this air is dehumidified by the conditioning means, for example, an evaporator. Is blown out from the exhaust port. When the ultraviolet lamp is turned on, the rotation speed of the blower is lower than the rotation speed of the ultraviolet lamp when the ultraviolet lamp is not turned on, so that the flow velocity of the air sucked from the intake port becomes slow. Therefore, bacteria passing through the ultraviolet lamp can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp for a long time as much as possible, so that bacteria such as Escherichia coli, typhoid bacteria, and Shigella which are harmful to the human body can be obtained without increasing the size of the ultraviolet lamp. Can be reliably sterilized, and clean air can be blown out from the exhaust port. Further, when the ultraviolet lamp is not lit, it is not necessary to sterilize, so by increasing the rotation speed of the blower than the rotation speed of the ultraviolet lamp, the amount of air sucked from the intake port is increased. By increasing the amount of moisture in the air in the evaporator, it is possible to quickly reduce the indoor humidity.

Further, a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the room is provided, and when the humidity sensor detects that the humidity is lower than a predetermined humidity, the operation control unit detects the number of revolutions of the blower to turn on the ultraviolet lamp. It is characterized by rotating at the same number of rotations as when it is in use, so when the room is dry, it is not necessary to suck in much air to dehumidify,
Power consumption can be reduced by eliminating unnecessary dehumidifying operation.

Further, since the lamp switch for turning on / off the ultraviolet lamp is provided, the user can choose whether or not to sterilize the ultraviolet lamp, which improves the convenience of use. To do.

Further, when the lamp switch is set to off, a changeover switch for changing the rotation speed of the blower is provided, so that the user turns off the lamp switch. When set,
The rotation speed of the blower can be switched to perform the dehumidifying operation according to the indoor humidity according to the preference of the user, so that the usability is further improved.

Further, the ultraviolet lamp is formed in a flat shape, and is composed of a flat germicidal lamp which emits ultraviolet light from one surface and visible light from the other surface when the ultraviolet light is irradiated, and the lamp detecting means is provided from the other surface. Since it is characterized by detecting visible light emitted, when the ultraviolet lamp is turned on, the lamp detection means detects visible light emitted from the other surface of the ultraviolet lamp, and the ultraviolet lamp is not turned on. At this time, since the lamp detecting means does not detect, it is possible to reliably detect with a simple configuration that the ultraviolet lamp is not lit due to a life, a short circuit or the like.

Further, since the photocatalytic filter is arranged at a position facing one surface of the ultraviolet lamp, the photocatalytic layer of the photocatalytic filter is excited by the ultraviolet light emitted from the one surface of the ultraviolet lamp. , Which can oxidize and decompose the malodorous components of the air sucked from the intake port, and in addition to the sterilizing effect of the ultraviolet lamp,
It is possible to prevent deodorization and mold growth.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings using a dehumidifier as an example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main body of the dehumidifier of the first embodiment of the present invention as seen obliquely from the front, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier when a front cover is removed, and FIG. 3 is the same. 4 is a side sectional view of the dehumidifier, FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the dehumidifier, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the basic configuration and principle of the same plane sterilization lamp, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a flat sterilization lamp, a photocatalyst filter, and a lamp substrate stored in a storage case of the dehumidifier.
6 is a rear cutaway view of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, and FIG.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the first embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the same embodiment.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an air conditioner main body (a dehumidifier in this embodiment) which is formed so as to be shorter in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction. The outer surface of the main body 1 is made of a synthetic resin left case 2 and right case 3.
And a bottom plate 4.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a removable front cover which is formed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin and which is mounted above the front side of the main body 1. The front cover 5 is formed in an arc shape, and the main body 1 It is attached so as to cover a part of the left and right side surfaces from the front surface.

Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote narrow front air inlets formed between both sides of the front cover 5 and the left case 2 and the right case 3 for sucking air in the room.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a rear intake port of a grill structure provided on the rear surface of the main body 1 for taking in the air in the room, and further connected to the rear intake port 8 to the right case 3 and a side intake port 9 of the grill structure. Are formed. By providing the intake ports at three positions on the front and rear surfaces of the main body 1 and on one side surface side, it is possible to install them in a narrow space such as a gap between the side wall of the press fit and the futon or a gap between furniture and furniture. Also, all three intake ports are not blocked, and it is possible to prevent the dehumidification ability from decreasing due to the decrease in the intake amount.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a V-shaped filter which is detachably arranged on the lower side of the front cover 5 so that dust in the air sucked from the front inlets 5 and 6 can be removed. There is.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a centrifugal blower composed of a motor 12 and blades 13. The motor 12 is controlled by a microcomputer 45, which will be described later. , High speed rotation is 950 rp
m, medium speed rotation is 800 rpm, low speed rotation is 650 rp
It can be switched to three stages of m). Therefore, by switching the rotation speed of the motor 12,
The amount of air sucked from the front intakes 6, 7, the rear intake 8, and the side intake 9 can be adjusted.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a fan casing surrounding the motor 12 and the blades 13 of the centrifugal blower 11, and the fan casing 14 has an upward casing 15 and a downward casing 16 formed integrally. The opening of the upward casing 15 communicates with the upper outlet 17 formed on the upper surface of the main body 1, and the opening of the downward casing 16 is formed below the left case 2. It communicates with the air outlet 18. Therefore, when the motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11 rotates, the air taken in from the front intakes 6, 7, the rear intake 8, and the side intake 9 is dehumidified by the evaporator 22 and the condenser 23 described later. After being heated, it is blown out from the upper outlet 17 and the lower outlet 18.

Reference numeral 19 is a louver that deflects the air blown out from the upper outlet 17 from the front side to the rear side of the main body 1, and has pivots (not shown) formed at both ends of the louver. It is rotatably mounted by being pivotally supported on the side wall surface.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an opening / closing shutter that opens and closes the lower outlet 18 up and down. When the opening / closing shutter 20 is open, the sucked air is blown out from both the lower outlet 18 and the upper outlet 17, When closed, it can be blown out from the upper outlet 17.

Reference numeral 21 is a partition plate for partitioning the main body 1 into an upper part and a lower part. On the upper part of the partition plate 21, the evaporator 22, the condenser 23 and the centrifugal blower 12 are sequentially arranged from the right case 3. There is.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a compressor which is arranged on the rear side of the lower part of the main body 1 and constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with the evaporator 22, the condenser 23 and the like, and the front intake port 6 is operated by the operation of the refrigeration cycle. , 7, the air taken in from the rear inlet 8 and the side inlet 9 is dehumidified by the evaporator 22 and then heated by the condenser 23.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a drainage tank which is detachably accommodated under the front surface of the main body 1. The drainage tank 25 is formed in a box shape with an opening at the top, and the condensed water generated in the evaporator 22 is stored in the drainage tank 25. It is designed to be stored. A float (not shown) that floats as the condensed water rises is rotatably supported on the upper side wall of the drain tank 25.

Reference numeral 26 is a handle portion formed on the front surface of the drainage tank 25 by recessing it upward from the bottom so that the drainage tank 25 can be pulled out forward.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a flat sterilization lamp which is formed in a flat shape and emits ultraviolet rays. The flat sterilization lamp 27 emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 253.7 nm which maximizes the sterilization effect from one surface side to the other surface side. To 452 nm visible light. The plane sterilization lamp 27 is arranged on the front intake ports 6 and 7 side together with a photocatalyst filter 30 described later.

FIG. 5 shows the basic structure and principle of the flat sterilization lamp 27. The flat surface sterilization lamp 27 has one surface side made of UV transparent glass (value soda glass) 27a through which ultraviolet rays pass, and the other surface side transmits visible light without passing through ultraviolet rays and has a phosphor 27b applied on the inner surface side. It is made of normal soda glass 27c, inside of which mercury vapor and argon gas are enclosed, and discharge electrodes 27 are provided on both sides.
d and 27e are arranged. The discharge electrodes 27d, 27
When a voltage of about 1 kV is applied to e, glow discharge occurs, and electrons 27f flowing between the discharge electrodes 27d and 27e collide with argon atoms 27g and mercury atoms 27h. Mercury atom 2
The ultraviolet ray 27i generated by colliding with 7h passes through the UV transparent glass 27a on the one surface side, and hits the light emitting body 27b on the soda glass 27c side on the other surface side to generate visible light 27j. That is, in the flat sterilization lamp 27, the UV transparent glass 27a side serves as an ultraviolet light emitting surface 27k, and the soda glass 27c side serves as a visible light emitting surface 27m.

Reference numeral 28 is a resin ultraviolet seal packing that covers the outer edge of the flat sterilization lamp 27. The ultraviolet seal packing 28 is highly elastic and is not affected by the ultraviolet light 27i.

Reference numeral 29 is a storage case for storing the flat sterilization lamp 27, and the side walls on both sides of the storage case 29 have
A plurality of outer slits 29a that are cut and raised in the shape of armor toward the outside are formed so that ventilation is possible. The plane sterilization lamp 27 is housed so that the visible light emitting surface 27m can be seen from a vertically long opening 29b formed on the front surface side of the housing case 29. The visible light 27j is applied to the front cover 5 side through the opening 29b, and the ultraviolet light 27i is applied toward the inside of the storage case 29. However, since the outer slit 29a is formed in the armor shape. The ultraviolet rays 26i are blocked so that they do not leak to the outside of the storage case 28.

By the way, the air sucked from the front inlets 6 and 7 by the drive of the blower 11 rotates at a low rotation speed of the motor 12 (650 r in this embodiment).
pm), it passes through the inside of the storage case 29 in 1 sec, when it rotates at medium speed (800 rpm in this embodiment), it passes in 0.81 sec, and it rotates at high speed (950 rpm in this embodiment). At this time, it passes in 0.68 sec. That is, the flow velocity of the air increases as the rotation speed of the blower 11 increases. Sterilization dose of ultraviolet rays (mW · s) necessary to kill bacteria contained in the air
ec / cm ² ) varies depending on the type of bacteria, but in the present embodiment, the specification is such that Escherichia coli, typhoid bacterium, Shigella, etc. that are killed at a sterilization dose of 10 mW · sec / cm ² or less can be sterilized. Specifically, when the planar sterilization lamp 27 is turned on, the sterilization line illuminance (mW / cm ² ) of the ultraviolet rays 27i in the storage case 29 is at least 1.
0 mW / cm ² is secured, and the motor 12
Is controlled to rotate at a low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment) without fail, so that the sterilizing dose (m) of the ultraviolet rays 27i radiated to the air passing through the storage case 29 is measured.
W · sec / cm ² ) is 10 mW · sec / cm
² (10 mW / cm ² × 1 sec), and the sterilization dose is 1
It is configured to surely sterilize Escherichia coli, typhoid bacterium, Shigella, etc. that die at 0 mW · sec / cm ² or less.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a photocatalytic filter having a honeycomb structure made of an inorganic powder such as titanium dioxide. The photocatalytic filter 30 is attached to the bottom surface of a box-shaped reflector 31 having an upper opening made of aluminum, It is housed in the housing case 29 together with the box-shaped reflector 31 so as to face the ultraviolet light emitting surface 27k. Odor components such as bacteria and ammonia contained in the air passing through the storage case 29 are attached to the photocatalyst filter 30, and the odor components are converted into a photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet rays 27i emitted from the ultraviolet emission surface 27k. After excitation, the bacteria that are oxidatively decomposed and deodorized, and remain attached to
7i irradiation for a long time, so sterilization dose (mW · se
Bacteria with high c / cm ² ) such as molds can be sterilized. And, the photocatalyst filter 30 is
Since the adsorbed odor component is oxidatively decomposed and regenerated, it can be used semipermanently without replacement.

Reference numeral 31a designates inner slits which are cut and raised inward in the shape of armor on the side walls and the bottom surface on both sides of the box-shaped reflector 31, and a plurality of inner slits 31a are formed to form the outer slits 29a. Similarly, by blocking the ultraviolet rays 27i emitted from the ultraviolet ray emitting surface 27k, the storage case 2
9 does not leak to the outside. The box-shaped reflector 3
When the box-shaped reflector 31 is stored in the storage case 29, the inner slits 31a of the side walls on both sides of 1 pass through the storage case 29 because they are formed in the same range as the outer slit 29a. The air is flowing smoothly.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a lamp board on which electronic components such as a lamp lighting power supply 33 for lighting the flat sterilization lamp 27 are mounted, and the lamp board is housed in a board housing chamber 31b provided above the housing case 29, and the board is housed. It is fixed with screws 35 together with a lid 34 that closes the opening of the storage chamber 31b. In addition, the flat sterilization lamp 27 has the visible light emitting surface 27.
m is brought into contact with one surface of the lamp substrate 32, and the discharge electrodes 27d and 27e are bent in an L shape and attached by soldering. Further, on the side wall 27n of the flat surface sterilization lamp 27, a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of lighting by detecting the visible light 27j of the flat surface sterilization lamp 27, that is, a photo sensor 36 is attached in proximity. Visible light 27j emitted from the visible light emitting surface 27m is reflected by the lamp substrate 32 and side walls 27 of the flat germicidal lamp 27.
Since the light is transmitted from n, even if the photo sensor 36 is attached to the side wall 27n of the flat sterilization lamp 27, it is possible to detect whether or not the flat sterilization lamp 27 is turned on.

With these configurations, the photosensor 36 detects the visible light 27j emitted from the visible light emitting surface 27m, so that the planar sterilization lamp 27 is
The presence or absence of lighting can be easily detected, and the lamp lighting power source 33 can easily supply power to the discharge electrodes 27d and 27e without providing a separate lead wire. In addition, since the visible light emitting surface 27m is in contact with one surface of the lamp substrate 32, the ultraviolet light 27i is emitted by the lamp substrate 32, the photo sensor 36, and the lamp lighting power source 33.
Since it is not irradiated to electronic parts such as
Since the deterioration due to i can be prevented and the ultraviolet light emitting surface 27k from which the ultraviolet light 27i is emitted is exposed, the ultraviolet irradiation area is reduced and the sterilizing ability is not deteriorated. By storing the three components of the lamp board 32, the flat sterilization lamp 27, and the light deodorizing filter 30 in the storage case 29, they can be unitized, and mounting and maintenance are facilitated.

37 is an opening 29 of the storage case 29.
a lens arranged so as to cover the side b,
Reference numeral 7 denotes visible light 2 emitted from the visible light emitting surface 27m.
7j can be deflected to irradiate the front cover 5.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a handle which is rotatably provided on the upper portion of the main body 1 and is housed in a recess 39 formed on the upper surface of the main body 1 by tilting the handle 38 and holding it by hand. It becomes possible to move 1.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an operating portion provided above the front surface of the main body 1. The operating portion 40 has a power switch 41 for driving and stopping the main body 1, and a flat sterilization lamp 27 to be described later turned on. A lighting switch 49 for turning off and a rotation changeover switch 42 for changing over the rotation speed of the motor 12.
And a full lamp 4 for notifying that the drain tank 25 is full
3, the lighting state of the flat sterilization lamp 27 and the main body 1
Display unit 4 that displays the operating settings and operating status of the
4 are provided.

The rotation changeover switch 42 controls the number of rotations of the motor 12 to be high speed rotation, medium speed rotation, low speed rotation (in this embodiment, high speed rotation is 950 rpm and medium speed rotation is 800 rpm).
It is possible to switch between three stages of rpm and low speed rotation of 650 rpm.

Next, the control circuit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 45 denotes the compressor 24 and the centrifugal blower 11
Or a control means for controlling the flat sterilization lamp 27 or the like, that is, a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer)
Then, the microcomputer 45 is attached to a control circuit attachment plate 46 arranged below the operation portion 40.

Reference numeral 47 is a compressor drive circuit for driving the compressor 24. When the power switch 41 is turned on,
A drive signal is output from the compressor drive circuit 47 to operate.

Reference numeral 48 is a float detection sensor which detects the operation of the float by operating the float when the drain tank 25 is filled with the dehumidified water. When the float detection sensor 48 detects the signal, a signal is sent to the microcomputer 45. The compressor 24 and the motor 12 are temporarily stopped, the flat sterilization lamp 27 is turned off, and the full water lamp 43 is turned on by the output of the microcomputer 45.

When the user sees the lighting of the full water lamp 43, he / she puts his / her hand on the handle portion 26 and takes out the drainage tank 25 from the inside of the main body 1 to remove the drainage tank 25.
After draining the water in the main body 1, the drainage tank 25 is mounted again in the main body 1 to eliminate the full-filled state, and the main body 1 is again closed.
The dehumidifying operation and lighting of the flat sterilization lamp 27 are started.

Reference numeral 49 is a lighting switch for turning on and off the lighting of the flat sterilization lamp 27. When the lighting switch 49 is turned on, a signal is input to the microcomputer 45, and a signal is sent from the microcomputer 45 to the lamp lighting power supply 33. Output from the lamp lighting power source 33 to the planar sterilization lamp 2
A voltage of about 1 kV is applied to the discharge electrodes 27d and 27e of No. 7 to turn them on. Further, the flat sterilization lamp 27 does not light up due to the end of life or short circuit, and the photo sensor 36
When the signal from is not input to the microcomputer 45,
The microcomputer 45 stops the signal output to the lamp lighting power supply 33 so that the discharge electrodes 27d and 27e do not remain in a state where the open voltage of the lamp lighting power supply 33 is about 4 kV. ing.

Reference numeral 50 is a humidity detecting sensor for detecting the humidity in the room, and the detected signal is input to the microcomputer 45.

Reference numeral 51 is a motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11.
When a signal from the microcomputer 45 is input to a motor drive circuit that drives the motor 12, the motor 12 is rotated by the signal from the motor drive circuit 51.

The rotation speed of the motor 12 is determined when the ON signal of the lighting switch 49 and the signal from the photo sensor 36 are input to the microcomputer 45, that is, the flat sterilization lamp 27 is lit. At this time, it rotates at low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment). And
When the ON signal of the lighting switch 49 is input to the microcomputer 45 and the signal from the photosensor 36 is not input to the microcomputer 45, that is, the flat sterilization lamp 27 does not light due to a life or a short circuit. At this time, if the indoor humidity detected by the humidity detecting sensor 50 is 40% or more, high speed rotation (950 in this embodiment) is performed.
rpm), and if the indoor humidity is less than 40%, it rotates at low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment). Further, the lighting switch 49 is turned off and the microcomputer 4
When a signal is not input to 5, rotation speed of three stages set by the rotation changeover switch 42, that is, high speed rotation,
Medium-speed rotation, low-speed rotation (in this embodiment, high-speed rotation is 950
rpm, medium speed rotation is 800 rpm, low speed rotation is 650r
It is controlled to rotate at any one of the rotation speeds (pm).

Reference numeral 52 denotes a display circuit for displaying the liquid crystal screen of the display section 44. The display circuit 52 receives a signal from the microcomputer 45 when the signal for turning on the power switch 41 is input to the microcomputer 45. It is designed to be driven by the output. When the signal from the photo sensor 36 is no longer input to the microcomputer 45,
That is, when the plane sterilization lamp 27 is not turned on, the microcomputer 45 outputs a signal to the display section 44 to display that the plane sterilization lamp 27 is not turned on.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

When the power switch 41 and the lighting switch 49 are turned on, the flat sterilization lamp 27 lights up, and the centrifugal blower 11
And the compressor 24 operates. And the plane sterilization lamp 27
When is on, the motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11 is
Always rotates at a low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment), and the indoor air is sucked in through the front inlets 6, 7, the rear inlet 8, and the side inlet 9, as shown by the arrows in FIG.
The air sucked from the front air inlets 6 and 7 is the outer slit 2.
9a and the inner slit 31a penetrate into the storage case 29. The motor 12 rotates at a low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment).
m), the sterilization dose (mW · sec / cm ² ) irradiated to the air passing through the storage case 29 is 1
Since setting is made such that 0mW · sec / cm ^2, bacteria sterilization dose killed at 10mW · sec / cm ² or less, such as E. coli, Salmonella typhi, with Shigella, etc. are sterilized, the photocatalytic filter 30 attached The offensive odor component is deodorized. Then, the sterilized and deodorized air is dehumidified when passing through the evaporator 22, and is then heated by the condenser 23, and dry, warm and clean air is blown out from the upper outlet 17 and the lower outlet 18. . Since the flat sterilization lamp 27 and the photocatalytic filter 30 are arranged at the front air inlets 6 and 7, bacteria and malodorous components contained in the sucked air are removed upstream of the evaporator 22 and the condenser 23 and evaporated. It is possible to prevent bacteria and malodorous components from adhering to the surfaces of the container 22 and the condenser 23.

When the flat sterilization lamp 27 does not light due to a life or short circuit, and the indoor humidity detected by the humidity detection sensor 50 is 40% or more, the motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11 rotates at high speed (this embodiment). In the example, 950 rp
Rotating at m), a large amount of air is sucked from the front inlets 6, 7, the rear inlet 8, and the side inlet 9, and the evaporator 22 dehumidifies a large amount of water in the air. Indoor humidity is less than 40%,
That is, when the room is dry, the motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11 rotates at a low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment).
A small amount of air is sucked from the front intake ports 6 and 7, the rear intake port 8 and the side intake ports 9 to prevent unnecessary dehumidifying operation.

Further, when the lighting switch 49 is turned off, the user uses the rotation changeover switch 42 to rotate the centrifugal blower 11
The motor 12 is rotated at a low speed, a medium speed, and a high speed (in this embodiment, the low speed rotation is 650 rpm and the medium speed rotation is 800 r).
pm or high-speed rotation, 950 rpm) is selected, and the dehumidifying operation can be performed according to preference.

By the way, by passing through the evaporator 22, the water removed from the room air flows through the drain hole (not shown) into the drain tank 25, and when the drain tank 25 is filled with the dehumidified water. The float detection sensor 48 that detects the movement of the float and detects the operation of the float is filled with water, and the operation is stopped, and the full lamp 43 is turned on to notify the user.

The user sees the lighting of the full water lamp 43,
The drainage tank 25 is taken out of the main body 1 by holding the handhold portion 26. Then, after draining the water in the drain tank 1, the drain tank 25 is mounted in the main body 1 again. As a result, the full water state is canceled and the dehumidifying operation is started again.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention having the above structure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power switch 41 of the operation unit 40 is turned on (S1) and the lighting switch 49 is turned on (S2), a signal is output from the microcomputer 45 to the lamp lighting power supply 33,
A voltage of about 1 kV is applied from the lamp lighting power source 33 to the discharge electrodes 27d and 27e of the flat panel sterilization lamp 27 to illuminate (S3).

Next, when the photo sensor 36 detects the visible light 27j of the flat sterilization lamp 27 (S4), it is output from the motor drive circuit 51 to the motor 12, and the motor 12 rotates at a low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment). Rotate (S
5), output from the compressor drive circuit 47 to the compressor 24,
The compressor 24 is driven (S6).

When the flat sterilization lamp 27 does not light up due to the life or short circuit, that is, the photo sensor 36 does not detect the visible light 27j (S4), the humidity detected by the humidity detecting sensor 50 is 40% or more. When (S
7), the motor 12 rotates at high speed (950 r in this embodiment).
When the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 50 is less than 40% (S7), the motor 12 rotates at a low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment) (S5).

Next, when the lighting switch 49 is off (S2) and the rotation changeover switch 42 (S9) is set to low speed rotation, the motor 12 rotates at low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment). When rotating (S10) and the rotation changeover switch 42 (S9) is set to medium speed rotation,
The motor 12 rotates at a medium speed (800 rpm in this embodiment).
Rotation (S11), rotation switch 42 (S9)
However, when the high speed rotation is set, the motor 12 rotates at high speed (950 rpm in this embodiment) (S1).
2).

As described above, when the plane sterilization lamp 27 is turned on, the rotation speed of the motor 12 always rotates at a low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment). , 7, the flow velocity of the air sucked in becomes slow, and the time for passing through the inside of the storage case 29 becomes long. Therefore, bacteria contained in the air, for example, Escherichia coli, typhoid bacterium, Shigella, etc., are exposed to the ultraviolet sterilizing dose necessary for killing in the storage case 29, so that the flat sterilization lamp 27 is not enlarged. The bacteria can be surely sterilized, and clean air can be blown out from the upper outlet 17 and the lower outlet 18. Further, when the photo sensor 36 detects that the flat sterilization lamp 27 is no longer lit due to a life or a short circuit, if the humidity detected by the humidity detection sensor 50 is 40% or more,
Since the microcomputer 45 rotates the rotation speed of the motor 12 at high speed (950 rpm in this embodiment), it is sucked from the front intake ports 6, 7, the rear intake port 8, and the side intake port 9. There is an effect that the amount of air is increased, a large amount of water in the air can be dehumidified by the evaporator 22, and the indoor humidity can be quickly lowered.

When the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 50 is lower than 40%, the microcomputer 45 sets the rotation speed of the motor 12 at low speed (650 rpm in this embodiment). Since it is rotated, when the room is dry, the motor 12 rotates at the lowest rotation speed even when the flat sterilization lamp 27 is not lit, so unnecessary dehumidifying operation is omitted and power consumption is reduced. The effect is that it can be reduced.

Further, since the lighting switch 49 for turning on / off the lighting of the flat surface sterilization lamp 27 is provided, the user can select whether or not the flat surface sterilization lamp 27 is sterilized, and the usability is improved.

Further, when the lighting switch 49 is set to OFF, the rotation speed of the motor 12 is high speed rotation (950 rpm in this embodiment), medium speed rotation (800 rpm in this embodiment), low speed rotation. (In this embodiment, 6
Since the rotation changeover switch 42 capable of changing over in three stages (50 rpm) is provided, the user can turn on the lighting switch 49.
When is set to OFF, the number of rotations of the motor 12 can be switched to perform the dehumidifying operation in accordance with the indoor humidity according to the user's preference, so that the usability is further improved.

Since the photosensor 36 detects the visible light 27j emitted from the visible light emitting surface 27m of the flat surface sterilization lamp 27, the flat surface sterilization lamp 2
7 is lit, the photosensor 36 detects visible light 27j emitted from the visible light emitting surface 27m of the flat sterilization lamp 27, and if the flat sterilization lamp 27 is not lit, the photosensor Since there is no detection by 36, there is an effect that it is possible to surely detect with a simple configuration that the flat surface sterilization lamp 27 is not lit due to a life or a short circuit.

Since the photocatalytic filter 30 is disposed at a position facing the ultraviolet ray emitting surface 27k of the flat surface sterilization lamp 27, the ultraviolet ray 27i emitted from the ultraviolet ray emitting surface 27k of the flat surface sterilization lamp 27 is used. The photocatalyst layer of the photocatalyst filter 30 is excited to oxidize and decompose the malodorous components of the air sucked from the front inlets 6 and 7, and the flat sterilization line lamp 27
In addition to the bactericidal effect, the effect of deodorizing and inhibiting the growth of mold can be obtained.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
A description will be given based on the flowchart of 2. Further, the control circuit is also partially different from that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore different parts will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the same embodiment.

Reference numeral 53 is a room temperature detecting sensor for detecting the temperature inside the room. The detected signal is inputted to the microcomputer 45 so that the compressor 24 will not be overloaded when the room temperature becomes 40 ° C. or higher. The compressor 24 and the motor 12 are temporarily stopped, and the flat sterilization lamp 27
Is turned off. And the room temperature is 40
When the temperature becomes lower than 0 ° C, the compressor 24 and the motor 12 are restarted.
The driving and the lighting of the flat sterilization lamp 27 are started.

Reference numeral 54 is an evaporator temperature detecting sensor for detecting the temperature of the evaporator 22 and detecting whether or not frost is formed on the surface. The signal detected by the evaporator temperature detecting sensor 54 is When input to the microcomputer 45 and the temperature of the evaporator 22 reaches 0 ° C. or lower, the compressor 24 and the motor 12 are temporarily stopped, and the flat sterilization lamp 2
7 is turned off. And the evaporator 2
When the temperature of 2 exceeds 0 ° C. and the frost disappears, driving of the compressor 24 and the motor 12 and lighting of the flat sterilization lamp 27 are started again.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention having the above structure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The power switch 41 of the operation unit 40 is turned on (S1), and the lighting switch 49 is further turned on (S2).
If the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection sensor 53 is lower than 40 ° C., the process proceeds to the next step (S3).

Next, if the temperature detected by the evaporator temperature detection sensor 54 exceeds 0 ° C., the process proceeds to the next step (S4).

Next, if the float detection sensor 48 does not detect, that is, if the drain tank 25 is not full of water (S
5) While the motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11 rotates (S6), a signal is output from the microcomputer 45 to the lamp lighting power supply 33, and about 1 kV is applied to the discharge electrodes 27d and 27e of the flat panel sterilization lamp 27 from the lamp lighting power supply 33. A voltage is applied to turn on the light (S7).

Next, 10 seconds after the start of lighting of the flat sterilization lamp 27 (S8), the compressor 24 is driven (S9).

Next, when the lighting switch 49 is off (S
2) or when the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection sensor 53 is 40 ° C. or higher (S3), or when the temperature detected by the evaporator temperature detection sensor 54 is 0 ° C. or lower (S3)
4) or the float detection sensor 48 is the drain tank 2
When full water of 5 is detected (S5), centrifugal blower 1
The motor 12 of No. 1 stops (S10), and the plane sterilization lamp 2
7 is also turned off (S11), and the compressor 24 is not driven (S12).

As described above, the control in which the lighting operation of the flat surface sterilization lamp 27 is synchronized with the rotation operation of the motor 12, that is, the flat surface sterilization lamp 27 is turned on when the motor 12 is rotating. Since the light is turned off when the motor 12 is stopped, when the air is not sucked from the front inlets 6 and 7, unnecessary sterilization processing is not performed, and the lighting of the flat sterilization lamp 27 is minimized. It is possible to reduce the power consumption and improve the life of the flat sterilization lamp 27.

Before starting the driving of the compressor 24, the motor 12 of the centrifugal blower 11 is rotated and the air taken in from the front inlets 6 and 7 is supplied to the plane sterilization lamp 2.
Since it is sterilized by the ultraviolet ray 27i of No. 7, the air passages from the front inlets 6, 7 to the upper outlet 17 and the lower outlet 18 are cleaned, and when the compressor 24 is driven to perform the dehumidifying operation, Clean dry air can be blown from the upper outlet 17 and the lower outlet 18.

[0080]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is provided with the harmony means and the operation control section for controlling the operation of the blower, and the lamp detection means for detecting whether or not the ultraviolet lamp is turned on is provided. When the lamp detection means detects the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp, the rotation speed is made smaller than when the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp is not detected. Bacteria passing through, because it can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp as long as possible, without increasing the size of the ultraviolet lamp, for example, bacteria that are harmful to the human body, such as Escherichia coli, typhoid bacteria, and Shigella, can be surely sterilized. Clean air can be blown out from the exhaust port. Further, when the ultraviolet lamp is not lit, the amount of air sucked from the intake port increases, so that the moisture in the air in the evaporator is largely dehumidified, and the indoor humidity can be lowered quickly. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the room is provided, and when the humidity sensor detects that the humidity is lower than a predetermined humidity, the operation control unit determines the rotation speed of the blower. Since it is rotated at the same rotation speed as when detecting the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp, when the room is dry, it is not necessary to suck in much air from the intake port to dehumidify, so unnecessary dehumidifying operation is performed. There is an effect that it can be omitted and power consumption can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the lamp switch for turning on and off the ultraviolet lamp is provided,
The user can choose whether or not to perform sterilization treatment with the ultraviolet lamp, and it is possible to improve the convenience of use.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the lamp switch is set to off, the changeover switch for changing the number of revolutions of the blower is provided, so that the user can turn on the lamp switch. When set to off, the rotation speed of the blower can be switched to perform the dehumidifying operation according to the indoor humidity according to the preference of the user, and the convenience of use can be further improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet lamp is formed in a flat shape, and is composed of a flat germicidal lamp that emits ultraviolet light from one surface and visible light from the other surface when the ultraviolet light is irradiated. Since the means detects the visible light emitted from the other surface, it is possible to reliably detect with a simple configuration that the ultraviolet lamp is not lit due to a lifetime or a short circuit. .

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the photocatalytic filter is arranged at a position facing one surface of the ultraviolet lamp, the malodorous component of the air sucked from the intake port can be oxidatively decomposed. In addition to the bactericidal effect of the ultraviolet lamp, it has effects such as deodorization and inhibition of mold growth.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of a main body of a dehumidifier of a first embodiment of the present invention as seen obliquely from the front.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier when a front cover is removed.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration and principle of the flat sterilization lamp.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view when a flat sterilization lamp, a photocatalytic filter, and a lamp substrate are stored in a storage case of the dehumidifier.

7 is a rear cutaway view of FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 body 6, 7 Front intake 8 Rear intake port 9 Side air port 17 Upper outlet 18 Bottom outlet 22 Evaporator 23 condenser 24 compressor 11 centrifugal blower 12 motors 13 feathers 27 Flat sterilization lamp 45 Microcomputer 36 photo sensor 50 humidity sensor 49 lighting switch 30 photocatalytic filter

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideo Sasao             2-5-3 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture             Within Yo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Matsumoto             2-5-3 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture             Within Yo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hachio Otani             2-5-3 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture             Within Yo Denki Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3L051 BC03 BC05                 3L061 BA01 BA07 BE03 BF08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A main body having an intake port and an exhaust port formed therein, a conditioning unit for conditioning air in the main unit, and a blower for sucking air from the intake port and exhausting the air from the exhaust port. An ultraviolet lamp that irradiates air with ultraviolet rays to sterilize it, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the conditioning unit and the blower, and a lamp detection unit that detects whether or not the ultraviolet lamp is turned on are provided, and the operation control unit. The air conditioner is characterized in that when the lamp detecting means detects the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp, the number of revolutions is smaller than when the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp is not detected. 2. A humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the room is provided, and when the humidity sensor detects that the humidity is lower than a predetermined humidity, the operation control unit detects the number of revolutions of the blower to detect lighting of the ultraviolet lamp. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is rotated at the same rotation speed as when the air conditioner is operating. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lamp switch for turning on and off the ultraviolet lamp. 4. A changeover switch is provided which can change the rotation speed of the blower when the lamp switch is set to off.
Air conditioner described. 5. The ultraviolet lamp is formed in a flat shape, and is composed of a flat germicidal lamp that emits ultraviolet light from one surface and visible light from the other surface at the time of irradiating the ultraviolet light, and the lamp detecting means is provided from the other surface. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the emitted visible light is detected. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein a photocatalytic filter is arranged at a position facing one surface of the ultraviolet lamp.