JP2005155977A - Air conditioner, humidified air delivering path member and connection unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner 1 which can easily remove viruses or bacteria contained in air even in a dry season or in a dry area. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner 1 comprises an outdoor humidifying unit 4, an indoor blow-out unit 2 and a humidified air delivering paths 71, 72, 73. The outdoor humidifying unit 4 is provided outdoors. The outdoor humidifying unit 4 humidifies air. The indoor blow-out unit 2 is provided indoors. Further, this indoor blow-out unit 2 blows out air humidified in the outdoor humidifying unit 4 indoors. The humidified air delivering paths 71, 72, 73 are provided to deliver the air humidified in the outside humidifying unit 4 to the indoor blow-out unit 2. In addition, these humidified air delivering paths 71, 72, 73 have a transparent part, at least in a part thereof, and a first photocatalyst therein. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that removes viruses, germs, and the like floating in the air. The present invention also relates to a humidified air delivery path member and a connection unit used for the air conditioner.

In recent years, viruses that are very harmful to humans such as SARS and influenza have become popular, and therefore, when outdoor air is introduced indoors, it is required to purify the outdoor air. For example, as an example of such air purification technology, an air conditioner in which a photocatalyst is applied to the inner wall of an outside air introduction pipe, and external light is supplied to the photocatalyst from a light collecting unit installed outdoors via a pipe. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-220860 A

However, in fact, in order for the photocatalyst to cause a catalytic reaction, not only light but also moisture is required. Therefore, it is very difficult for the air conditioner as described above to remove viruses and fungi at a time when it is easy to dry or in an area where it is easy to dry.
The subject of this invention is providing the air conditioner which can remove easily the virus, microbe, etc. which are contained in the air even if it is the time to dry or the dry area.

  The air conditioner according to claim 1 includes an outdoor humidification unit, an indoor blowing unit, and a humidified air delivery path. The outdoor humidification unit is provided outdoors. Moreover, this outdoor humidification unit humidifies air. The indoor blowing unit is provided indoors. Moreover, this indoor blowing unit blows out the air humidified in the outdoor humidifying unit indoors. The humidified air delivery path is provided for delivering humidified air humidified by the outdoor humidifying unit to the indoor blowing unit. Moreover, this humidified air delivery path has a transparent part in at least one part, and has a 1st photocatalyst inside. The humidified air delivery path is a duct or a hose.

  Here, the outdoor humidification unit humidifies the air. The humidified air delivery path has a transparent part at least in part and further has a first photocatalyst inside. For this reason, if a transparent part is arrange | positioned outdoors and the 1st photocatalyst is provided in the inside of the humidification air delivery path around a transparent part, both light and a water | moisture content will be supplied to a 1st photocatalyst. For this reason, the 1st photocatalyst can remove easily the virus and microbe which float in the air. Therefore, with this air conditioner, it is possible to easily remove viruses, fungi, and the like contained in the air at the time of drying or in a dry area.

An air conditioner according to a second aspect is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the humidified air delivery path includes a first air path, a second air path, and a connecting path. A 1st ventilation path protrudes outdoors from an indoor blowing unit. The second air passage is connected to the outdoor humidification unit. The connecting path connects the first air passage and the second air passage. Moreover, this connection path has a transparent part at least in part.
Here, the outdoor humidification unit humidifies the air. Further, the connecting path has a transparent portion at least in part. For this reason, in this humidified air delivery path, it can also light from the transparent part of a connection path. Therefore, in this humidified air delivery path, air humidified by the outdoor humidifying unit and light are supplied to the photocatalyst. As a result, the photocatalyst can easily remove viruses and fungi floating in the air. Therefore, with this air conditioner, it is possible to easily remove viruses, fungi, and the like contained in the air at the time of drying or in a dry area.

An air conditioner according to a third aspect is the air conditioner according to the second aspect, wherein the connecting path has a second photocatalyst inside.
Here, the connection path has a second photocatalyst inside. For this reason, a transparent part can be easily provided also in the existing humidification hose.
An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect is the air conditioner according to the second or third aspect, wherein the first air passage intersects with the second air passage. Further, the connecting path is curved.

Here, the first air passage intersects the second air passage. Further, the connecting path is curved. For this reason, a connection path can connect a 1st ventilation path and a 2nd ventilation path comfortably. Also, normally, in a curved air passage, the wind collides and bacteria are likely to adhere together with dust and the like. For this reason, this air conditioner can efficiently collect viruses and bacteria.
The air conditioner according to claim 5 is the air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one of the first air passage and the second air passage has a third photocatalyst therein. .

Here, at least one of the first air passage and the second air passage has the third photocatalyst inside. For this reason, in this air conditioner, when the light supplied from a transparent part leaks to a 1st ventilation path or a 2nd ventilation path, a virus and a microbe can be removed more efficiently.
An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the transparent portion has a diffraction portion that diffracts outdoor light. The diffraction unit diffracts outdoor light.

  Here, the transparent part has a diffraction part. For this reason, even if it is a case where a transparent part is provided only in a part of connecting path, light can be supplied to the inside of a connecting path in a wide range. Therefore, the photocatalyst can be applied in a wide range inside the connection path. As a result, in this air conditioner, it is possible to efficiently remove viruses and bacteria even when the transparent portion is provided only in a part of the connection path.

An air conditioner according to a seventh aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the first photocatalyst includes an adsorption portion. The adsorption unit adsorbs viruses or fungi contained in the air. The adsorbing portion contains apatite, activated carbon, zeolite, or the like.
Here, the 1st photocatalyst contains an adsorption part. For this reason, with this air conditioner, it is possible to more efficiently remove viruses and bacteria.

An air conditioner according to an eighth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first photocatalyst is a photocatalytic apatite.
Conventional photocatalysts have been poorly adsorbed against viruses and fungi, and are often used in admixture with adsorbents such as zeolite and apatite. However, even if the photocatalyst and adsorbent are mixed in this way, from a microscopic viewpoint, it is only effective against viruses and fungi adsorbed in the vicinity of the photocatalyst. When there is no photocatalyst, the virus or fungus is not removed and remains in the adsorbent. If such a state continues for a long period of time, there is a concern that the generation of malodor or air pollution may occur. However, in this photocatalytic apatite, since the adsorption site itself has a photocatalytic function, the adsorbed virus and fungus can be almost completely removed. Moreover, the adsorbability of apatite against viruses and fungi is superior to that of zeolite and activated carbon. For this reason, with this air conditioner, it is possible to more efficiently remove viruses and bacteria.

  The humidified air delivery path member according to claim 9 is an air conditioner having an outdoor humidifying unit and an indoor blowing unit, and humidified air delivery for delivering humidified air humidified by the outdoor humidifying unit to the indoor blowing unit. It is a road member, Comprising: A transparent part and a photocatalyst are provided. The outdoor humidification unit is provided outdoors and humidifies the air. The indoor blowing unit is provided indoors and blows out the air humidified in the outdoor humidifying unit indoors.

  Here, the humidified air delivery path member has a transparent portion and a photocatalyst. For this reason, when this humidified air delivery path member is used in an air conditioner having a humidifying function, air humidified by the outdoor humidifying unit reaches the connecting unit, so that both light and moisture are supplied to the photocatalyst. For this reason, the photocatalyst can easily remove viruses and fungi floating in the air. Therefore, in an air conditioner with a humidifying function in which such a humidified air delivery path member is used, it is possible to easily remove viruses, bacteria, etc. contained in the air at the time of drying or in a dry area. Can do.

  The connection unit according to claim 10 is an air conditioner having an outdoor humidification unit, an indoor blowing unit, a first air passage, and a second air passage, and connects the first air passage and the second air passage. The connecting unit includes a transparent part and a photocatalyst. The outdoor humidification unit is provided outdoors and humidifies the air. The indoor blowing unit is provided indoors and blows out the air humidified in the outdoor humidifying unit indoors. A 1st ventilation path protrudes outdoors from an indoor blowing unit. The second air passage is connected to the outdoor humidification unit.

  Here, a connection unit has a transparent part and a photocatalyst. For this reason, when this connection unit is used for an air conditioner having a humidifying function, air humidified by the outdoor humidification unit reaches the connection unit, so that both light and moisture are supplied to the photocatalyst. For this reason, the photocatalyst can easily remove viruses and fungi floating in the air. Therefore, in the air conditioner with a humidifying function in which such a connection unit is used, it is possible to easily remove viruses, bacteria, and the like contained in the air at the time of drying or in a dry area.

In the air conditioner according to the first aspect, it is possible to easily remove viruses, fungi, and the like contained in the air even when it is dry or in a dry region.
In the air conditioner according to the second aspect, it is possible to easily remove viruses, fungi, and the like contained in the air even when it is dry or in a dry region.
In the air conditioner according to claim 3, the existing humidifying hose can be easily provided with the transparent portion.

In the air conditioner according to claim 4, it is possible to efficiently collect viruses and bacteria.
In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect, when light supplied from the transparent portion leaks to the first air passage or the second air passage, it is possible to more efficiently remove viruses and bacteria.
In the air conditioner according to the sixth aspect, even when the transparent part is provided only in a part of the connection path, it is possible to efficiently remove viruses and bacteria.

In the air conditioner according to the seventh aspect, viruses and bacteria can be removed more efficiently.
In the air conditioner according to the eighth aspect, viruses and bacteria can be removed more efficiently.
In the air conditioner with a humidifying function in which the humidified air delivery path member according to claim 9 is used, it is possible to easily remove viruses, bacteria, etc. contained in the air at the time of drying or in a dry area. Can do.

  In the air conditioner with a humidifying function in which the connection unit according to claim 10 is used, it is possible to easily remove viruses, fungi, and the like contained in the air even when it is dry or in a dry region. .

In the embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner will be described.
<Configuration of air conditioner>
The external appearance of the air conditioner 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG.
The air conditioner 1 is configured by being divided into an indoor unit 2 attached to an indoor wall surface and the like, and an outdoor unit 3 installed outside the room. The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 5 and a humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 that store an outdoor heat exchanger, a propeller fan, and the like. An indoor heat exchanger is accommodated in the indoor unit 2, and an outdoor heat exchanger is accommodated in the outdoor unit 3. And each heat exchanger and the refrigerant | coolant piping 31 and 32 (refer FIG. 2) which connect these heat exchangers comprise the refrigerant circuit. Further, between the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 2, it is used when outdoor air, humidified air, or the like from the humidifying / exhausting unit 4 is supplied to the indoor unit 2 side or when indoor air is exhausted to the outside. A supply / exhaust pipe 6 is provided.

<Configuration of refrigerant circuit>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the air flow added to the system diagram of the refrigerant circuit used in the air conditioner 1.
The indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 11. The indoor heat exchanger 11 includes a heat transfer tube that is bent back and forth at both ends in the length direction and a plurality of fins through which the heat transfer tube is inserted, and performs heat exchange between the air that contacts the heat transfer tube.

  In the indoor unit 2, a cross flow fan 12 and an indoor fan motor 13 that rotationally drives the cross flow fan 12 are provided. The cross-flow fan 12 is configured in a cylindrical shape, and a large number of blades are provided on the peripheral surface, and generates an air flow in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis. The cross flow fan 12 sucks indoor air into the indoor unit 2 and blows out air after heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 11 into the room.

  The outdoor air conditioning unit 5 is connected to a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21, an accumulator 23 connected to the suction side of the compressor 21, and a four-way switching valve 22. An outdoor heat exchanger 24 and an electric valve 25 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 24 are provided. The electric valve 25 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 32 through the filter 26 and the liquid closing valve 27, and is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger 11 through the refrigerant pipe 32. The four-way switching valve 22 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 31 via the gas closing valve 28, and is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 11 via the refrigerant pipe 31. These refrigerant pipes 31 and 32 form a collective communication pipe together with the above-described supply / exhaust pipe 6.

In the outdoor air conditioning unit 5, a propeller fan 29 for discharging the air after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to the outside is provided. The propeller fan 29 is driven to rotate by an outdoor fan motor 30.
<Configuration of supply and exhaust pipe>
As shown in FIG. 1, the air supply / exhaust pipe 6 mainly includes a first pipe 71, an elbow pipe 73, and a second pipe 72. The first piping 71 is embedded in the outer wall 90 and connected to the indoor unit 2 by piping. The second pipe 72 is disposed substantially parallel to the outer wall 90 and is connected to the outdoor unit 3 by pipes. Here, since the first piping 71 is substantially orthogonal to the second piping 72, the first piping 71 and the second piping are connected by an elbow piping 73.

[First piping and second piping]
The first piping 71 and the second piping 72 are black or gray resin piping. The inner walls of the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72 are mirror-coated. A photocatalytic apatite layer (not shown) is supported on the inner wall of the first pipe 71 and the inner wall of the second pipe. A mirror that reflects light may be further provided inside the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72.

[Elbow piping]
The elbow pipe 73 is colorless and transparent. A photocatalytic apatite layer is carried on the inner wall of the elbow pipe 73. Further, a diffraction part (not shown) for diffracting sunlight is provided near the center of the outer wall of the elbow pipe 73.
<Configuration of outdoor unit>
As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 3 includes a lower outdoor air conditioning unit 5 and an upper humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 that are integrated.

First, the configuration of the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
[Configuration related to outdoor air conditioning unit]
The outdoor air conditioning unit 5 includes a front panel 51, side plates 52 and 53, a protective metal mesh (not shown), a casing member such as a metal bottom plate 54, refrigerant circuit components housed inside, and the like.

  The front panel 51 is a resin member that covers the front surface of the outdoor air conditioning unit 5, and is disposed on the downstream side of the air that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 24 with respect to the outdoor heat exchanger 24. The front panel 51 is provided with an outdoor air conditioning unit outlet 51a composed of a plurality of slit-shaped openings, and the air that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 24 flows from the inside of the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 to the outdoor air conditioning unit outlet. It blows out to the exterior of the outdoor unit 3 through 51a. A fan outlet member 56 and a partition plate 57 are attached to the rear of the front panel 51.

  The side plates 52 and 53 include a right side plate 52 and a left side plate 53, which are metal members that cover the sides of the outdoor air conditioning unit 5. Here, a right side plate 52 is provided on the right side and a left side plate 53 is provided on the left side when the outdoor unit 3 is viewed from the front. The side plates 52 and 53 are provided substantially parallel to the blowing direction of the air blown from the outdoor air conditioning unit outlet 51a through the outdoor heat exchanger 24. The right side plate 52 is provided with a closing valve cover 55 for protecting the liquid closing valve 27 and the gas closing valve 28 (see FIG. 2).

The refrigerant circuit components include an outdoor heat exchanger 24, a compressor 21, an accumulator 23, a four-way switching valve 22, an electric valve 25, and the like (see FIG. 2).
The outdoor heat exchanger 24 has a substantially L shape in plan view, and is disposed in front of a protective wire mesh that covers the back surface of the outdoor air conditioning unit 5.
An outdoor fan motor 30 and a propeller fan 29 are provided in front of the outdoor heat exchanger 24 and in a ventilation space between the partition plate 57 and the left side plate 53. The outdoor fan motor 30 rotates the propeller fan 29. The propeller fan 29 brings the air taken into the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 into contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 24 and exhausts it from the outdoor air conditioning unit outlet 51a to the front of the front panel 51.

Other refrigerant circuit components such as the compressor 21, the accumulator 23, the four-way switching valve 22, and the electric valve 25 are disposed in the machine room between the partition plate 57 and the right side plate 52.
An electrical component unit 58 is attached to the upper part of the outdoor air conditioning unit 5. The electrical component unit 58 includes an electrical component box and a printed circuit board on which circuit components for controlling each part are mounted. A flameproof plate 59 is attached above the electrical component unit 58.

[Configuration related to humidification supply / exhaust unit]
Next, the configuration of the humidification / exhaust unit 4 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
(Humidification supply / exhaust unit casing)
The humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 has a humidification supply / exhaust unit casing 40. The humidification supply / exhaust unit casing 40 covers the front, rear and both sides of the humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 and is disposed so as to contact the upper part of the outdoor air conditioning unit 5.

The front surface of the humidification / exhaust unit casing 40 is provided with an adsorption air outlet 40a composed of a plurality of slit-shaped openings, and the air passes through the adsorption air outlet 40a to the outside of the outdoor unit 3. Blow out.
Further, an adsorption air suction port 40b and a supply / exhaust port 40c are provided on the back surface of the humidified air supply / exhaust unit casing 40 in the left-right direction. The air suction port 40b for adsorption is an opening through which air taken in from the outside in order to cause the moisture humidifying rotor 41 to adsorb moisture. The air supply / exhaust port 40c is an opening through which air taken in to be sent to the indoor unit 2 passes or air through which air taken in from the indoor unit 2 is exhausted to the outside passes.

A photocatalytic filter 80 is disposed in front of the air supply / exhaust port 40c (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The photocatalytic filter 80 is made of a fiber, and the photocatalytic apatite is supported on the fiber.
The upper part of the humidification / exhaust unit casing 40 is covered with a top plate 66.
In the humidification / exhaust unit casing 40, the right side is a space for housing the suction / humidification rotor 41 and the like, and the left side is a suction fan storage space SP1 for storing the suction fan 46 and the like. In the humidification / exhaust unit casing 40, an intake / humidification rotor 41, a heater assembly 42, a radial fan assembly 43, a switching damper 44, an adsorption side duct 45, an adsorption fan 46, and the like are arranged.

(Moisture absorption and humidification rotor)
The humidifying / humidifying rotor 41 is a honeycomb-shaped ceramic rotor having a generally disc shape, and has a structure in which air can easily pass therethrough. The humidification / humidification rotor 41 is a rotor having a circular shape in a plan view, and has a fine honeycomb (honeycomb) shape in a cross section cut along a horizontal plane. And air passes through many cylinder parts of the humidification / humidification rotor 41 whose cross section is a polygon.

The main part of the humidification / humidification rotor 41 is fired from an adsorbent such as zeolite, silica gel, or alumina. This adsorbent such as zeolite has the property of adsorbing moisture in the air in contact with it and adsorbing it to release the contained moisture when heated.
The suction / humidification rotor 41 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 40d provided on the humidification / exhaust unit casing 40 side via a rotor guide (not shown). A gear is formed on the peripheral surface of the humidification / humidification rotor 41 and meshes with a rotor drive gear 48 attached to the drive shaft of the rotor drive motor 47.

(Heater assembly)
The heater assembly 42 includes a heater cover 42a and a heater main body (not shown) housed therein, and heats air that is taken in from the outside and is sent to the humidification / humidification rotor 41. Further, the heater assembly 42 is arranged so as to cover approximately half (the right half) of the upper surface of the suction / humidification rotor 41. The lower surface of the heater assembly 42 is formed with a suction port for sucking air and a discharge port for discharging the air heated by the heater assembly 42 to the suction and humidification rotor 41 side. The heater assembly 42 is attached above the suction / humidification rotor 41 via a heater support plate 49.

(Radial fan assembly)
The radial fan assembly 43 is disposed on the side of the humidifying / humidifying rotor 41 and includes a radial fan (not shown) and a radial fan motor (not shown) that rotates the radial fan. Further, the radial fan assembly 43 shares an upper lid (not shown) with the switching damper 44, and the upper lid closes the bottom surface of the radial fan assembly 43. The upper lid is provided with an air outlet and an air intake. The air outlet is an opening through which air sent from the radial fan assembly 43 into the switching damper 44 passes. The air intake port is an opening through which air sent from the switching damper 44 to the radial fan assembly 43 passes. The radial fan assembly 43 generates a flow of air from the air supply / exhaust port 40 c to the room through the suction / humidification rotor 41 and the switching damper 44, and sends the air taken from the outside to the indoor unit 2. The radial fan assembly 43 can also discharge the air taken from the indoor unit 2 to the outside. The radial fan assembly 43 switches these operations when the switching damper 44 is switched.

  When the air taken in from the outdoor is sent to the indoor unit 2, the radial fan assembly 43 passes through the suction / humidification rotor 41 and descends from the front half of the right half of the suction / humidification rotor 41. The supplied air is sent out to the air supply / exhaust duct 61 through the switching damper 44. The air supply / exhaust duct 61 is connected to the air supply / exhaust pipe 6 (see FIG. 1), and the radial fan assembly 43 supplies air to the indoor unit 2 via the air supply / exhaust duct 61 and the air supply / exhaust pipe 6. .

The radial fan assembly 43, when discharging indoor air taken in from the indoor unit 2 to the outside of the room, supplies air supplied from the air supply / exhaust duct 61 to the air supply / exhaust unit casing 40 provided on the back surface thereof. The air is discharged from the exhaust port 40c to the outside.
(Switching damper)
The switching damper 44 is a rotary air flow path switching unit disposed below the radial fan assembly 43, and switches to a first state, a second state, and a third state.

In the first state, the air blown out from the radial fan assembly 43 is supplied to the indoor unit 2 through the air supply / exhaust duct 61 and the air supply / exhaust pipe 6. Thereby, in the first state, air flows in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 1 and the solid arrow A1 in FIG. 2, and humidified air or outdoor air is supplied to the indoor unit 2 through the air supply / exhaust pipe 6. Will come to be.
In the second state, air flows in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 1 and the broken arrow A2 in FIG. 2, and the air that has passed through the air supply / exhaust pipe 6 and the air supply / exhaust duct 61 from the indoor unit 2 The air is exhausted from the assembly 43 to the outside through the air supply / exhaust port 40c.

In the third state, the path connecting the switching damper 44 and the air supply / exhaust duct 61 is closed, and the air flow between the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 2 is blocked.
(Suction duct and suction fan)
The suction side duct 45 covers a portion of the upper surface of the suction / humidification rotor 41 where the heater assembly 42 is not located (a substantially half portion on the left side). The suction side duct 45 and an suction side bell mouth 63, which will be described later, form an air flow path that leads from the upper surface of the left half portion of the suction / humidification rotor 41 to the upper part of the suction fan storage space SP1 described below.

  The suction fan 46 accommodated in the suction fan storage space SP1 is a centrifugal fan that is rotated by the suction fan motor 65, and by sucking air from the opening 63a of the suction side bell mouth 63 disposed at the top, An airflow that flows from the suction air suction port 40b to the opening 63a via the suction and humidification rotor 41 is generated. Then, the suction fan 46 exhausts the dry air having moisture adsorbed when passing through the suction / humidification rotor 41 from the suction air outlet 40a toward the front of the humidification supply / exhaust unit casing 40. The suction side bell mouth 63 is provided in the upper part of the suction fan storage space SP1 and plays a role of guiding the air passing through the air flow path formed by the suction side duct 45 to the suction fan 46.

<Operation and control contents of humidification supply / exhaust unit>
In order to describe the flow of air in the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation of the humidification / exhaust unit 4 will be described below. Here, control related to control contents such as humidification operation will be described.
[Operation of humidification supply / exhaust unit]
When the humidifying operation is performed in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, the switching damper 44 is switched to the first state. Hereinafter, the operation of the humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 when performing the humidification operation or the air supply operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  The humidification / exhaust unit 4 drives the adsorption fan 46 to rotate to take air from the outside into the humidification / exhaust unit casing 40 from the adsorption air suction port 40b. The air that has entered the humidifying / exhausting unit casing 40 passes through a substantially half portion on the left side of the humidifying / humidifying rotor 41 and is formed by the suction side duct 45 and the suction side bell mouth 63. The air is discharged from the suction fan storage space SP1 to the front of the outdoor unit 3 through the fan 46 through the suction air outlet 40a (see arrow A4 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). When the air taken into the humidifying / exhausting unit casing 40 from the outside passes through a substantially half portion on the left side of the absorbing / humidifying rotor 41, the absorbing / humidifying rotor 41 adsorbs moisture contained in the air.

  The substantially half portion on the left side of the moisture absorption / humidification rotor 41 that has adsorbed moisture in this adsorption process becomes the approximately half portion on the right side of the moisture absorption / humidification rotor 41 as the absorption / humidification rotor 41 rotates. That is, the adsorbed moisture moves to the portion of the absorption / humidification rotor 41 located below the heater assembly 42 as the absorption / humidification rotor 41 rotates. The moisture that has moved here is separated into the air flow generated by the radial fan assembly 43 by the heat from the heater assembly 42.

  When the radial fan assembly 43 is driven, outdoor air is taken into the humidification supply / exhaust unit casing 40 from the supply / exhaust port 40 c, and the air is below the back part of the substantially half part on the right side of the suction / humidification rotor 41. From the suction port on the lower surface of the heater assembly 42 and is introduced into the heater assembly 42. Then, the air that has entered the heater assembly 42 is discharged from the discharge port on the lower surface of the heater assembly 42, and passes through the front portion of the substantially half portion on the right side of the humidification / humidification rotor 41 from above to below, From the casing side opening 71c of the switching damper 44 to the radial fan assembly 43 through the inside of the switching damper 44 (see the white arrow in FIG. 1 and the arrow A5 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). Such an air flow is generated by the radial fan assembly 43. The radial fan assembly 43 sends the air that has passed through the humidifying / humidifying rotor 41 and the switching damper 44 to the indoor unit 2 via the switching damper 44, the supply / exhaust duct 61, and the supply / exhaust pipe 6. The air sent to the indoor unit 2 includes moisture that has been adsorbed by the humidification / humidification rotor 41.

In this way, the air supplied from the humidifying / exhausting unit 4 to the indoor unit 2 is blown into the room through the indoor heat exchanger 11. In addition, this air conditioner 1 may perform only the air supply ventilation which takes in outdoor air and sends it to the indoor unit 2 without humidification by not operating the suction fan motor 65 and the heater assembly 42. it can.
[Control of humidification supply / exhaust unit by control unit]
Next, control of the humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 by the control unit 100 will be described. The control content includes control related to the above-described humidification operation, control related to the air supply operation, exhaust operation, and thawing operation.

(Humidification operation)
The control unit performs the humidification operation when receiving a humidification command from the remote controller or when it is determined that the humidification operation is necessary according to the humidification automatic operation command from the remote control. This humidification operation is often performed together with the heating operation. In the humidification operation, the rotor drive motor 47, the heater body, the radial fan motor, and the suction fan motor 65 in the humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 are driven. In this humidification operation, as described above, moisture contained in the air introduced into the humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 from the outside by the rotation of the adsorption fan 46 is adsorbed by the adsorption / humidification rotor 41 and heated by the heater body. The air is passed through the suction / humidification rotor 41 by the rotation of the radial fan, and the air containing moisture separated from the suction / humidification rotor 41 is supplied to the indoor unit 2 via the supply / exhaust pipe 6.

(Air supply and exhaust operation)
When it is determined that the room needs to be ventilated, the control unit performs an air supply operation or an exhaust operation. The air supply operation is an operation in which outdoor air is taken into the humidification supply / exhaust unit 4 and the outdoor air is supplied from the supply / exhaust hose 6 to the indoor unit 2. In the exhaust operation, the air in the air supply / exhaust hose 6 is sucked by the radial fan assembly 43 of the humidification air supply / exhaust unit 4, that is, the room air is sucked into the air supply / exhaust hose 6 through the indoor unit 2, In this operation, the fan assembly 43 is discharged out of the outdoor unit 3. The air flow in the air supply operation and the exhaust operation is as described in the description of the first state and the second state together with the detailed configuration of the switching damper 44. During the air supply operation, the switching damper 44 is set to the first state, and the outdoor air is supplied to the indoor unit 2 through the air supply / exhaust hose 6. On the other hand, during the exhaust operation, the switching damper 44 is in the second state, and the air passing through the air supply / exhaust hose 6 from the indoor unit 2 passes through the casing side opening of the switching damper 44 from the air outlet of the radial fan assembly 43. It is exhausted through the plane. In these air supply operation and exhaust operation, only the radial fan is rotated without operating the suction fan 46 and the rotor drive motor 47 of the humidification supply / exhaust unit 4.

In addition, when it is desired to gently ventilate fresh outdoor air while air conditioning, an air supply operation can be selected.
When the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped, the control unit sets the switching damper 44 to a third state different from the first state and the second state. In the third state, the room is not in communication with the outdoors.

<Characteristics of air conditioner>
(1)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, the humidifying / exhausting unit 4 humidifies the air. The elbow pipe 73 is colorless and transparent, and carries a photocatalytic apatite layer on the inner wall. For this reason, when the air humidified by the humidifying / exhausting unit 4 reaches the elbow pipe 73, both sunlight and water are supplied to the photocatalytic apatite layer. For this reason, the photocatalytic apatite layer can easily remove viruses and fungi floating in the air. Therefore, with this air conditioner 1, it is possible to easily remove viruses, fungi, and the like contained in the air regardless of whether it is a dry time or a dry area.

(2)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, an elbow pipe 73 is used to connect an air supply / exhaust pipe that connects the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3. Normally, the elbow pipe 73 tends to have a longer air residence time than the straight pipe. For this reason, in this air conditioner 1, a virus and a microbe can be collected efficiently.

(3)
Here, the photocatalytic apatite layer is carried on the inner wall of the first pipe 71 and the upper part of the inner wall of the second pipe 72. For this reason, in this air conditioner 1, it is possible to more efficiently remove viruses and bacteria.
(4)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, a diffraction part is provided near the center of the elbow pipe 73. For this reason, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of sunlight to the photocatalytic apatite layer carried on the inner walls of the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 can remove viruses and bacteria more efficiently.

(5)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, photocatalytic apatite is employed as the photocatalyst. Conventional photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide have poor adsorption properties against viruses and fungi, and it was necessary to devise such means as mixing with adsorbents such as zeolite, but this photocatalytic apatite has not only a photocatalytic function but also viruses and fungi. It also has the property of adsorbing specifically. For this reason, the mixing process of the photocatalyst and adsorbent which was performed conventionally can be skipped. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the photocatalyst layer can be reduced.

(6)
In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, the inner walls of the first pipe 71 and the second pipe are mirror-coated. For this reason, sunlight can be favorably reflected. Therefore, sunlight can be used effectively.
<Modification>
(A)
In the embodiment described above, photocatalytic apatite is used as the photocatalyst, but instead, titanium dioxide (anatase type, rutile type, brookite type, etc.), copper oxide, zinc oxide, tungsten oxide, iron oxide, sulfide Even if cadmium, zinc sulfide, strontium titanate, fullerene (including ion-implanted materials), polyparaphenylene, polyaniline, polypyridine, polypyrrole, polythiophene, porphyrin complex (center metal: zinc, aluminum, etc.) are also used. Good. Further, an adsorbent mixed photocatalyst obtained by mixing these photocatalysts with an adsorbent such as zeolite or activated carbon may be adopted.

(B)
In the embodiment shown above, the elbow pipe 73 is entirely colorless and transparent, but a part of the elbow pipe 73 may be colorless and transparent.
(C)
In the above-described embodiment, the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72 are colored resin pipes. Instead, the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72 are colorless and transparent pipes. Also good. In this case, part of the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72 may be colorless and transparent. Moreover, it may be translucent.

(D)
In the above-described embodiment, the diffractive portion is provided near the center of the elbow pipe 73, but this may be omitted.
(E)
In the above-described embodiment, the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72 are mirror-coated, but may be mirror-finished if the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72 are made of stainless steel or the like.

(F)
In the above-described embodiment, the photocatalytic filter 80 is disposed in front of the air supply / exhaust port 40c. However, instead of this, a plasma ionizer may be disposed. In general, photocatalytic apatite has a high adsorption capacity for viruses and fungi. This is thought to be because the photocatalytic apatite is charged and forms an electrostatic bond with a weakly charged virus or fungus. For this reason, viruses and bacteria are given a stronger charge before reaching the photocatalytic apatite layer of the second pipe 72, the elbow pipe 73 and the first pipe 71. Therefore, viruses and fungi are easily adsorbed by the photocatalytic apatite layer. As a result, the collection efficiency of viruses and bacteria can be improved.

(G)
In the above-described embodiment, the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72 are used to connect the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3, but a resin hose may be used instead. It doesn't matter. If it does in this way, piping work can be made easy. Two hoses may be formed integrally with the elbow pipe 73 in advance.

(H)
In the embodiment described above, the elbow pipe 73 is used to connect the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 72, but a transparent resin hose may be used instead. Also, a resin hose that is partially transparent may be used. In addition, you may provide the mirror which reflects light in this hose.

  When used in an air conditioner having a humidifying function, the humidified air delivery path member and the connecting unit according to the present invention can remove viruses, fungi, and the like contained in the air even in a dry period or in a dry area. It can be easily removed and is effective when applied mainly to air conditioners.

1 is an external view of an air conditioner according to the present invention. The refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention. The disassembled perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Indoor unit 4 Humidification intake / exhaust unit 71 1st piping 72 2nd piping 73 Elbow piping

Claims (10)

An outdoor humidification unit (4) which is provided outdoors and humidifies air;
An indoor blowing unit (2) that is provided indoors and blows out the air humidified in the outdoor humidification unit (4);
A humidified air delivery path (71, 72, 73) for delivering the humidified air humidified by the outdoor humidifying unit (4) to the indoor blowing unit (2);
With
The humidified air delivery path (71, 72, 73) has a transparent part at least in part and has a first photocatalyst inside.
Air conditioner (1). The humidified air delivery path (71, 72, 73) includes a first blower path (71) projecting from the indoor outlet unit (2) to the outdoors and a second blower connected to the outdoor humidifier unit (4). A path (72), and a connecting path (73) connecting the first air path (71) and the second air path (72),
The connection path (73) has the transparent part at least in part.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. The connection path (73) has a second photocatalyst inside.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 2. The first air passage (71) intersects the second air passage (72),
The connection path (73) is curved,
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 2 or 3. At least one of the first air passage (71) and the second air passage (72) has a third photocatalyst inside.
The air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The transparent part has a diffraction part that diffracts the outdoor light,
The air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The first photocatalyst includes an adsorption part that adsorbs a virus or a fungus contained in the air.
The air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The first photocatalyst is a photocatalytic apatite.
The air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Air having an outdoor humidifying unit (4) provided outdoors and humidifying air, and an indoor blowing unit (2) provided indoors and blowing the air humidified in the outdoor humidifying unit (4) into the indoor In the conditioner (1), a humidified air delivery path member for delivering the humidified air humidified by the outdoor humidifying unit (4) to the indoor blowing unit (2),
A transparent part,
A photocatalyst,
A humidified air delivery path member comprising: An outdoor humidifying unit (4) that is provided outdoors and humidifies the air; an indoor blowing unit (2) that is provided indoors and blows the air humidified in the outdoor humidifying unit (4); In the air conditioner (1) having a first air passage (71) protruding from the blowout unit (2) to the outdoors and a second air passage (72) connected to the outdoor humidification unit (4), A connecting unit (4) for connecting the first air passage (71) and the second air passage (72),
A transparent part,
A photocatalyst,
A connection unit (73) comprising:

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