JP2005172260A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit discomfort such as generation of odor due to deposited bacteria in a staying part of dew condensate formed by condensing moisture in high-temperature high-humidity air released from a hygroscopic body or rot of staying condensate. <P>SOLUTION: The staying part 6 is provided with a metallic plate 7 connected to a heat exchanger 5 in the conducting state, thereby causing a potential difference due to the internal electromotive force because the metallic plate 7 has lower voltage than the heat exchanger 5. In this condition, bacteria mixed in the dew condensate causes electrophoresis to be sequentially collected toward the low-potential metallic plate 7 due to a difference in ionization tendency between the heat exchanger 5 and the metallic plate 7 because the bacterium itself is charged with negative ions to some degree, whereby the bacteria can be restrained from free activity. After that, the bacteria, the metabolism function of which is inactivated, become weak, and the bacteria existing in the staying part 6 die out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, condensed water in which bacteria in the air accumulates or stays in a storage part that stores condensed water that is condensed from moisture in high-temperature and high-humidity air released from an adsorbent having moisture adsorption / desorption capability. The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a function of preventing rot and causing a problem of odor generation during operation.

  Conventionally, an air conditioner equipped with this type of humidity control absorbent is heated by a heater, which absorbs moisture from the air taken in from the room or outdoors by a blower, and is adsorbed by the adsorber. Condensed water is conveyed indoors by desorbing moisture (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

FIG. 1 shows an air conditioner provided with a conventional moisture absorbent for humidity adjustment described in Patent Document 1.
JP-A-8-121826 JP 2002-317970 A

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that the condensed water dripped in the storage part is spoiled due to accumulation or retention of bacteria, resulting in generation of a strange odor in the indoor space.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and guarantees a long-term life in a storage part in which miscellaneous germs that store condensed water condensed from moisture in high-temperature and high-humidity air released from a hygroscopic body are easy to propagate. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can suppress discomfort such as generation of odor due to decay of germs accumulated in a reservoir or accumulated condensed water by providing an antibacterial function that can be performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the air conditioner of the present invention is provided with a long-term storage in a storage part in which miscellaneous bacteria that store condensed water obtained by condensation of moisture in high-temperature and high-humidity air released from an adsorbent are easily propagated. Antibacterial function that can guarantee a long life.

  As a result, the germs floating in the air adhere to the heat exchanger together with the dew condensation water and are dripped into the reservoir. Bacteria mixed in condensed water have a negative charge to some extent, so the bacteria migrate to the low potential metal plate side by side due to the difference in ionization tendency between the heat exchanger and the metal plate. It is thought that it suppresses the free activity of bacteria. Then, the bacteria whose metabolic function is inactivated weaken and eventually die, so that the bacteria present in the reservoir can be killed.

  The air conditioner of the present invention can kill bacteria in the condensed water for humidification over a long period of time.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an antibacterial function capable of guaranteeing a long-term life is provided in a dew condensation water storage portion in which miscellaneous bacteria easily propagate, so that bacteria floating in the air adhere to the heat exchanger together with the dew condensation water. Since the bacteria that are dripped into the reservoir and mixed in the dew condensation water have a negative charge to some extent, the bacteria are electrophoresed and have a low potential due to the difference in ionization tendency between the heat exchanger and the metal plate. Bacteria that are gathered one after another to the metal plate side and suppress free activity of bacteria, and then inactivated metabolic function will weaken and eventually die, so kill the bacteria present in the reservoir be able to.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, in particular, by providing the portion where the metal plate of the first aspect of the invention and the heat exchanger are connected in a place where the dew condensation water is not always in a conductive state, it leads to poor conduction due to contact corrosion of the connection terminal portion. The problem can be solved and long-term reliability can be guaranteed.

  In the third invention, in particular, the potential difference due to the internal electromotive force between the metal plate of the first or second invention and the aluminum fin is set to 0.3 to 1.0 V, so that the bacteria are electrophoresed and reduced. It is collected one after another to the potential metal plate side to suppress the free activity of bacteria, and sufficient killing performance is obtained, and the electromotive force of condensed water is suppressed by suppressing the electromotive force to a certain level. Even when the value is high, the current does not flow too much in the condensed water and the metal plate on the low potential side is not corroded, and sufficient durability can be ensured.

  In particular, the fourth invention can prevent a short circuit by interposing an insulator partially or entirely in the interval between the metal plate of any one of the first to third inventions and the heat exchanger, When condensed water is present in the reservoir, a potential difference due to internal electromotive force can be ensured between the metal plate and the heat exchanger.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, by setting the distance between the metal plate of the fourth invention and the tip of the heat exchanger to 5 mm or less, sufficient electrolytic strength can be obtained even at 1.0 V which is the maximum potential difference given to the dew condensation water. The bacteria can be electrophoresed and collected one after another toward the low-potential metal plate to suppress the free activity of the bacteria and exert a killing effect.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, the insulating material of the fourth or fifth invention is made of a resin nonwoven fabric or mesh, so that an insulating state can be secured even for a narrow interval, and the condensed water itself is long. It can be maintained for a long time, and the potential difference due to the internal electromotive force is maintained even when the amount of condensed water is small, and the bacteria are electrophoresed and gathered one after another to the low potential metal plate side to suppress the free activity of the bacteria and die. The effect can be demonstrated.

  In the seventh invention, in particular, the metal plate according to any one of the first to sixth inventions is made of a zinc plate, a galvanized steel plate, or a zinc alloy, so that it is versatile and can be reduced in cost. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an outdoor unit humidifier for an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the outdoor unit humidifier includes a main body 1 provided with an intake port, a blow-out port, and a dehumidified water drain port, a blower 2 disposed in the main body 1, a moisture absorber 3, and a wind of the moisture absorber 3. The heater 4 provided on the upper side, the heat exchanger 5 provided at the outlet of the main body 1, the storage unit 6 provided at the lower part of the heat exchanger 5, and the metal plate connected to the heat exchanger 5 in the storage unit 6 7 and a pump 8 for conveying the condensed water accumulated in the storage unit 6 to the indoor unit.

  About the outdoor unit humidification apparatus of the air conditioner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

In FIG. 1, in the outdoor unit humidifier, energization of the heater 4 is stopped at the time of moisture adsorption, and moisture contained in the air sucked through the intake port is adsorbed by the moisture absorber 3. At the time of detachment, the heater 4 is energized, and the air sucked through the intake port is heated by the heater 4 provided on the windward side of the hygroscopic body 3, and the heated air passes through the hygroscopic body 3 to thereby absorb the hygroscopic body. The water adsorbed on 3 is desorbed. The high-temperature and high-humidity air generated by the desorption is condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 5 by passing through the heat exchanger 5 made of metal. Condensed water is eventually retained in the reservoir 6 provided at the lower part of the heat exchanger 5. A potential difference is generated between the heat exchanger 5 and the metal plate 7 connected to the conductive state, which is disposed in the storage unit 6, due to an internal electromotive force in which the metal plate 7 has a lower voltage than the heat exchanger 5. As a result, the germs floating in the air adhere to the heat exchanger 5 together with the dew condensation water and are dripped onto the storage unit 6, and the germs mixed in the dew condensation water have a negative charge to some extent. Therefore, due to the difference in ionization tendency between the heat exchanger 5 and the metal plate 7, the bacteria are electrophoresed and gathered one after another to the low potential metal plate 7 side to suppress the free activity of the bacteria, and then the metabolic function Since the inactivated bacteria are weak and will eventually die, the bacteria present in the reservoir 6 can be killed. That is, an antibacterial function capable of guaranteeing a long-term life can be added to the dew condensation water storage unit 6 in which germs easily propagate.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a front configuration diagram showing a connection configuration between the heat exchanger 5 and the zinc plate 9 of the outdoor humidifier of the air conditioner in order to explain the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the zinc plate 9 is provided in the storage portion 6 so that the path of the condensed water dripping from the heat exchanger 5 can be covered over the entire area. Therefore, the total length is longer than that of the heat exchanger 5, and the width is longer than the depth of the aluminum fins. In addition, the right side of the zinc plate 9 is provided with a terminal lead-out portion for two-stage bending to make a connection so that it is not immersed in the drain water. Further, the foamed EPDM 10 is also provided in almost the entire region so that the zinc plate 9 and the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 are not short-circuited. For the connection between the heat exchanger 5 and the zinc plate 9, a copper wire 11 covered with an insulation protection cover with vinyl chloride resin is used, and one is screwed to the end plate 12 of the heat exchanger 5 and fixed. Is fixed by screwing the zinc plate 9 together with the humidifier body. As a result, when condensed water accumulates in the reservoir 6, an internal electromotive force of about 0.4 V is generated between the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 and the zinc plate 9. As a result, the germs floating in the air are first trapped by the heat exchanger 5 and then moved to the reservoir 6 together with the dew condensation water. At that time, the negatively charged germs are attracted to the zinc plate 9 one after another. , You can't move. As a result, bacteria that have lost their freedom are also suppressed in metabolism, gradually weaken, and eventually die.

  As an empirical evaluation of such an air conditioner having a function of collecting and killing bacteria, the following tests were conducted.

  As the demonstration evaluation test 1, NB medium composition (10 g of peptone, 5 g of sodium chloride, 3 g of meat extract, 1 L of pure water) was diluted 1000 times and prepared water containing gram-negative Escherichia coli at a concentration of about 30 / L. Prepared water is uniformly pumped at a rate of 1 ml / min for the 10 cm width of the heat exchanger 5, and the discharged water is sampled by 0.2 ml over time, and mixed with a plate. According to the method, the cells were cultured on an agar medium for 24 hours, and the number of bacteria in water was examined to evaluate the effect of collecting bacteria by the zinc plate 9. As a result, it was confirmed that E. coli was clearly collected in comparison with the storage unit 6 that did not do anything in the conventional system.

  As a demonstration evaluation test 2, the route from the reservoir 6 to the pump 8 is blocked, the NB medium composition (10 g of peptone, 5 g of sodium chloride, 3 g of meat extract, 1 L of pure water) is diluted 1000 times, and the concentration of gram-negative Escherichia coli is increased. 200 ml of prepared water contained at about 30 / L was introduced into the reservoir 6 and the state after 12, 24 and 48 hours had been confirmed. Put the prepared water again into a sterilized beaker, sample 0.2 ml of the prepared water, and culture it in an agar medium for 24 hours according to the plate pour method. I investigated. As a result, it was confirmed that E. coli was clearly collected.

  In the present embodiment, foamed EPDM is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any one having excellent insulation can be used as a spacer between the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 and the metal plate 7. Further, it is more convenient if it has elasticity, and foamed PE, foamed PS, foamed PP, foamed PVA, urethane foam and the like can be used in addition.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a front configuration diagram showing a connection configuration between the heat exchanger 5 and the zinc plate 9 of the outdoor humidifier of the air conditioner for explaining the present embodiment. Parts of the outdoor humidifier that overlap with the description of the second embodiment are omitted. In FIG. 3, the zinc plate 9 is also provided in this embodiment so as to cover the entire area of the condensed water dripping from the heat exchanger 5, the overall length is longer than the heat exchanger 5, and the width is greater than the depth of the aluminum fins. It is long. Here, the method of taking out terminals from the zinc plate 9 is different from that of the second embodiment. That is, the zinc plate 9 was placed in the storage portion 6 as it was in a flat state, and the portion immersed in the dewed water was galvanized on the copper wire 13 and screwed with a resin screw. As a result, an internal electromotive force of about 0.4 V is generated between the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 and the zinc plate 9, and the germs floating in the air are first trapped by the heat exchanger 5, and thereafter The bacteria that move to the storage unit 6 together with the dew condensation water and are negatively charged are collected on the zinc plate 9 and eventually die. In addition, a portion where the copper wire connected to the zinc plate 9 is also immersed in the dewed water can be subjected to galvanizing treatment to prevent local corrosion due to joining of different metals in water.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the outdoor humidifier of the air conditioner showing the present embodiment. Portions of the configuration that overlap with those of the second embodiment are omitted. In FIG. 4, in this embodiment, a PP nonwoven fabric 13 having a thickness of 1 mm is provided in almost the entire region so that the zinc plate 9 and the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 are not short-circuited. Since the PP nonwoven fabric has an excellent ability to retain moisture, the potential difference between the zinc plate 9 and the heat exchanger 5 can be maintained over a long period of time, so that sufficient collection of bacteria is possible while dew condensation water is present in the reservoir 6, Sustained extinction function. Specifically, as compared with the demonstration evaluation test 1 of the second embodiment, in the case of the second embodiment, when the amount of water dripped in the heat exchanger 5 decreases, the bacteria collection function attenuates rapidly from a certain point in time. However, in this embodiment, even if the amount of dripped water and the amount of water held by the heat exchanger 5 are considerably reduced, the bacteria collection effect can be maintained by the water retention ability of the PP nonwoven fabric.

  In the present embodiment, a PP nonwoven fabric is used, but this is not restrictive. The same effect can be expected if the nonwoven fabric or mesh is a resin excellent in insulation. Resins such as PET, PEN, PE, and nylon can also be used. The nonwoven fabric can hold water sufficiently by capillary action or the mesh by surface tension, so that the potential difference due to the internal electromotive force can be secured between the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 and the metal plate 7 for a long time. Can sustain the collection of bacteria.

(Embodiment 5)
In the present embodiment, a zinc iron plate is disposed between the storage unit and the heat exchanger, and the structure of the zinc iron plate is the same as that of the second embodiment. At this time, the cut end face of the galvanized iron plate was coated with an epoxy resin to take measures against corrosion. As a result, an internal electromotive force of about 0.4 V is generated between the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 and the galvanized iron plate, and the galvanized iron plate was able to exhibit sufficient bacteria collection and killing functions.

(Embodiment 6)
In the present embodiment, a magnesium alloy (AZ91) plate is disposed between the reservoir and the heat exchanger, and the structure of the magnesium alloy plate is the same as that of the second embodiment. As a result, an internal electromotive force of about 0.8 V is generated between the aluminum fins of the heat exchanger 5 and the magnesium alloy plate, and the potential difference due to the internal electromotive force is increased by using the magnesium alloy (AZ91) plate. The ability to collect bacteria was improved, and a sufficient killing function was achieved.

  In each said embodiment, although the insulator was arrange | positioned over the whole metal plate 7, it is also possible to arrange | position an insulator partially.

  In an example using a zinc plate or a zinc iron plate, a potential difference of 0.4 V could be secured, and when a magnesium alloy (AZ91) plate was used, a potential difference of 0.8 V could be secured. In the present invention, the potential difference required for collecting bacteria by electrophoresis was at least 0.3 V or more. Further, if it exceeds 1.0 V, the leakage current cannot be ignored depending on the electric conductivity of the dew condensation water from the heat exchanger 5, and the melting of the metal plate 7 itself may start gradually. Reliability cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, a desirable potential difference with the aluminum fin of the heat exchanger 5 is 0.3 to 1.0 V, and various metal plates 7 can be used as long as the potential difference within this range can be secured.

  Moreover, although the case where the foam EPDM having a thickness of 3 mm and the PP nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 1 mm are used has been described in the above embodiment, the electrolytic strength increases as the distance between the aluminum fin of the heat exchanger 5 and the metal plate 7 decreases. This is desirable because it can be maintained. However, since it is meaningless if both of them are short-circuited in the water of the storage unit 6, it is better to set with a certain safety factor. Further, the maximum distance that can separate the two is a distance that can exhibit sufficient collection and killing ability even at the maximum potential difference of 1.0 V that does not affect the dew condensation water, and was determined to be about 5 mm by experiments. Accordingly, the lower limit is not particularly limited as long as the distance between the heat exchanger 5 aluminum fin and the metal plate 7 is 5 mm or less and an insulating state can be secured.

  Since the air conditioner of the present invention can kill bacteria in the condensed water for humidification for a long period of time, it can be applied to a dehumidifier having a configuration for storing the condensed water.

Sectional block diagram of the outdoor humidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Front structure figure which shows the connection with the heat exchanger and zinc plate of the outdoor humidification apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention Front structure figure which shows the connection with the heat exchanger and zinc plate of the outdoor humidification apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention Front structure figure which shows the connection with the heat exchanger and zinc plate of the outdoor humidifier in Embodiment 4 of this invention Cross-sectional configuration diagram of a conventional outdoor humidifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor humidifier body 2 Blower 3 Absorbent body 4 Heater 5 Heat exchanger 6 Storage part 7 Metal plate 8 Pump 9 Zinc plate 10 Foaming EPDM
11 Copper wire 12 End plate 13 PP Nonwoven fabric

Claims (7)

In an outdoor unit including at least a hygroscopic body that adsorbs moisture from the air, a heater that heats the hygroscopic body, and a blower that blows air to the hygroscopic body, the outdoor unit is released from the hygroscopic body when the heater is heated. A heat exchanger made of metal that condenses moisture in high-temperature, high-humidity air, a storage unit that stores the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger, and transports the condensed water stored in the storage unit to the indoor unit A metal plate is disposed in the storage unit, and when the metal plate and the heat exchanger are connected so that condensed water is accumulated in the storage unit, the metal plate and An air conditioner characterized in that a potential difference due to an internal electromotive force occurs between the heat exchanger and the metal plate has a lower potential than the heat exchanger. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the connection position is a position above a water surface where condensed water has accumulated in the storage section. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an internal electromotive force between the metal plate and the heat exchanger is 0.3 to 1.0V. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an insulator is disposed between the metal plate and the heat exchanger. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein an interval between the metal plate and the tip of the heat exchanger is 5 mm or less. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the insulator is a resin nonwoven fabric or mesh. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the metal plate is a zinc plate, a galvanized steel plate, or a zinc alloy.

Images