JP2006038362A - Freezing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a freezing device capable of reducing the frosting amount when a heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator by cleaning a heat exchange surface having water planing property and water repellency. <P>SOLUTION: A heat pump type air conditioner 1 as a kind of freezing devices has an outside heat exchanger 4 having the heat exchange surface having water planing property and water repellency. In this air conditioner 1, water as washing fluid for washing out deposits such as smudging or contaminant adhering to the heat exchange surface is supplied from a washing fluid spray section 9 to the heat exchange surface of the outside heat exchanger 4. Since the heat exchange surface has water planing property and water repellency, water as the washing fluid smoothly rushes on the heat exchange surface and hence the deposits can be easily washed out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus configured using a heat exchanger provided with a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency.

  Generally, in a refrigeration system in which a heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator, the heat exchange surface of the heat exchanger is used when the temperature of the air that exchanges heat with the heat exchanger is low or when the evaporation temperature in the evaporator is low. Frost is generated. When frost occurs, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger decreases, and as a result, the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration apparatus also decreases.

  For example, in a heat pump type air conditioner that is a kind of refrigeration system, if the outside air temperature decreases during heating operation, the evaporation temperature in the outdoor heat exchanger operating as an evaporator decreases, and this outdoor heat exchanger Frost. When frosting occurs, the evaporation capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger decreases, and as a result, the heating capacity of the air conditioner decreases. Therefore, in the air conditioner, a defrosting operation for removing frost attached to the outdoor heat exchanger is appropriately performed. However, when the defrosting operation is performed, it may differ depending on the defrosting operation method. However, since the heating operation is stopped or the heating capacity is reduced, there is a problem that the heating comfort sensitivity is lowered. Therefore, delaying the frost formation in the heat exchanger to extend the refrigeration operation (especially the heating operation in the case of a heat pump type air conditioner that is a typical example of the refrigeration device) or shortening the defrosting operation time. Has become an issue.

  As a response to such a problem, a method has been proposed in which a frost formation prevention layer is provided on a heat exchange surface to reduce the amount of frost formation on a heat exchanger operating as an evaporator. The method of providing this frost prevention layer is a method of preventing frost formation by increasing the water slidability and water repellency of the heat exchange surface.

As a method for providing a frost prevention layer, for example, Patent Document 1 contains 3-70 parts by weight of a specific organopolysiloxane having a silanol group with respect to 100 parts by weight of the specific organopolysiloxane. It describes that a coating film is formed by applying and curing the composition on a heat exchange surface. By providing the anti-frost layer in this way to increase the water slidability and water repellency of the heat exchange surface, water droplets that condense on the heat exchange surface quickly flow down when the heat exchanger operates as an evaporator. Therefore, the amount of frost formation on the heat exchange surface can be reduced.
JP 2002-323298 A

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 30 is a so-called cross fin and tube heat exchanger, and a large number of plate fins 31 forming a heat exchange surface are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction 32 with a space between each other. These plate fins 31 are configured to pass through heat exchange pipes 33 through which refrigerant flows. In the heat exchanger 30, the plate fins 31 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and a fin row in which the plate fins 31 are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the flow direction 32 is distributed. Two rows are arranged along the direction 32. The fin row may be one row or three or more rows. The heat exchange pipes 33 penetrating the plate fins 31 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction from one end to the other end of the plate fins 31. The surface of the plate fin 31 is provided with, for example, the above-described anti-frosting layer, and the water slidability and water repellency are increased.

  In such a heat exchanger 30, various deposits 34 such as dirt and dust may adhere to the plate fins 31 which are heat exchange surfaces. In particular, when the heat exchanger 30 is used as an outdoor heat exchanger disposed outdoors, the deposit 34 tends to adhere to the plate fins 31. When the deposit 34 adheres to the plate fin 31 that is the heat exchange surface, the deposit 34 stops the water droplet 35 that condenses when the heat exchanger 30 is operated as an evaporator from flowing down. The water drops 35 are frozen, and frost grows from there. As described above, when the deposit 34 is attached to the plate fin 31 that is the heat exchange surface, there is an effect of reducing the amount of frost formation by increasing the water slidability and water repellency of the surface of the plate fin 31 that is the heat exchange surface. There is a problem that it cannot be fully demonstrated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration apparatus capable of reducing the amount of frost formation when a heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator by cleaning a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency. It is in.

The invention according to claim 1 has a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, and performs heat exchange between an air flow flowing on the heat exchange surface and a heat medium flowing inside. A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
Cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the heat exchange surface with a cleaning liquid for washing away the deposits adhering to the heat exchange surface;
A refrigeration apparatus comprising: control means for operating the cleaning liquid supply means at a predetermined timing.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the control means periodically operates the cleaning liquid supply means.
The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the control means operates the cleaning liquid supply means irregularly.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning liquid supply means jets and supplies the cleaning liquid supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source toward the heat exchange surface.
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the cleaning liquid supply means supplies the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source by flowing down from the upper part of the heat exchanger.

The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that the cleaning liquid is water.
The invention according to claim 7 has a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, and performs heat exchange between an air flow flowing on the heat exchange surface and a heat medium flowing inside. A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
The refrigeration apparatus is characterized in that the heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator to condense water on the heat exchange surface, and the adhering matter adhering to the heat exchange surface is washed away by the condensed water.

The invention according to claim 8 is an outdoor heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, an indoor heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, and a compressor that compresses and discharges a heat medium. To configure the heat medium circuit,
During heating operation, the heat medium discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the indoor heat exchanger, the first expansion valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger, so that the indoor heat exchanger is a condenser. And operating the outdoor heat exchanger as an evaporator,
During the cooling operation, the heat medium discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the outdoor heat exchanger, the first expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger is a condenser. In the refrigerating apparatus that performs the air conditioning by the heat pump system by operating the indoor heat exchanger as an evaporator,
The outdoor heat exchanger is divided into two heat exchange sections, upstream and downstream, with respect to the direction of air flow, and a second is provided between the upstream heat exchange section and the downstream heat exchange section. Connect the expansion valve,
When performing the washing operation of the outdoor heat exchanger, the heat medium discharged from the compressor is used as a downstream heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger. The upstream heat exchange section and the indoor heat exchanger are circulated in this order to operate the downstream heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger as a condenser, and the upstream heat of the outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigeration is characterized in that the exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are operated as an evaporator, and the adhering matter adhering to the heat exchange surface is washed away by the condensed water condensed on the heat exchange surface of the upstream heat exchange portion. Device.

The invention according to claim 9 has a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, and performs heat exchange between an air flow flowing on the heat exchange surface and a heat medium flowing inside. A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
The refrigeration apparatus is characterized in that dust collecting means is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger in the air flow direction.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning liquid is supplied to the heat exchange surface of the heat exchanger at a predetermined timing, the deposits such as dirt and dust attached to the heat exchange surface are washed away. Therefore, when water is condensed on the heat exchange surface when the heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator, there is almost no deposit on the heat exchange surface, so the condensed water flows down smoothly on the heat exchange surface. For example, it falls onto the upper surface of the drain pan. As a result, it is possible to suppress the frost from being generated due to freezing of the water stopped by the adherent as in the prior art, so that the amount of frost formation can be reduced. In particular, when the heat exchanger is used as an outdoor heat exchanger and used as a heat pump type air conditioner, washing is performed at a time other than the winter season when the heating operation is performed, that is, in the summer season. As a result, when heating operation is performed in winter, the heat exchange surface of the heat exchanger is in a clean state in which hardly any deposits are attached, so that the amount of frost formation can be reduced. In particular, by cleaning the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger in summer, the amount of frost formation in the early winter season (around the beginning of the heating season) can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is periodically supplied to the heat exchange surface, and the deposits on the heat exchange surface are washed away. Periodic cleaning refers to, for example, measuring the elapsed time since the installation of the air conditioner and performing it every time a fixed period elapses, or driving time of a fan that supplies air to the heat exchanger May be measured every time it is driven for a certain period of time. Moreover, you may make it carry out according to a calendar | calendar like performing on the 1st of every month. By periodically cleaning in this manner, the deposits can be washed out before the deposits on the heat exchange surface are fixed. As a result, the heat exchange surface can be kept clean, so that the amount of frost formation during the heating operation in winter can be reduced.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is irregularly supplied to the heat exchange surface, and the deposits on the heat exchange surface are washed away. Irregular cleaning may be performed, for example, when the user instructs cleaning, or may be performed when the defrosting operation interval becomes short. Further, it may be performed when the degree of contamination of the heat exchange surface is detected and a predetermined degree of contamination is detected. By performing the cleaning when necessary as described above, it is possible to efficiently clean the heat exchange surface without performing unnecessary cleaning.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning liquid is jetted and supplied to the heat exchange surface, the deposits can be washed away using the momentum generated by the jetting. Thus, the heat exchange surface can be easily cleaned.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning liquid flows down from the upper part of the heat exchanger and is supplied, the cleaning liquid can be easily supplied as compared with the case where the cleaning liquid is jetted and supplied as described above.
According to the invention described in claim 6, since the heat exchange surface has water slidability and water repellency, if water is used as the cleaning liquid, the water as the cleaning liquid smoothly and vigorously flows on the heat exchange surface. Can be easily washed away. Moreover, it can implement cheaply compared with the case where a chemical | medical agent is used as a washing | cleaning liquid.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the heat exchange surface is cleaned using the water condensed on the heat exchange surface when the heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator. As a result, it is not necessary to use the cleaning liquid supply means as described above, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost and a complicated configuration of the refrigeration apparatus.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, when performing the cleaning operation of the outdoor heat exchanger, the upstream heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator and water condensed on the heat exchange surface is used. To clean the heat exchange surfaces. As a result, the heat exchanging surface of the upstream heat exchanging portion to which dirt or dust adheres most because it is located on the upstream side with respect to the air flow can be cleaned. Further, since the indoor heat exchanger is also operated as an evaporator during the cleaning operation, the indoor air in which the indoor heat exchanger is provided can be cooled. This makes it possible to clean the heat exchange surface of the upstream heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger while cooling the room in summer. Therefore, the outdoor heat exchanger can be cleaned without causing discomfort to humans in the room.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an air flow from which dirt and dust are removed by the dust collecting means is given to the heat exchanger. Therefore, it is possible to suppress dirt and dust from adhering to the heat exchange surface, and the heat exchange surface can be maintained in a clean state. Therefore, for example, when the above heat exchanger is used as an outdoor heat exchanger and is operated as an evaporator, water condensed on the heat exchange surface flows smoothly without being stopped by adhering matter. The amount of frost formation can be reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the refrigeration apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a heat pump type air conditioner that is a kind of refrigeration apparatus will be described.
(First embodiment)
Drawing 1 is a refrigerant circuit figure of air harmony device 1 which is a 1st embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 1 is a separate type, and is configured by connecting an outdoor unit 1a and an indoor unit 1b. The outdoor unit 1a includes a compressor 2, a four-way switching valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5, an outdoor fan 7, a cleaning liquid ejection unit 9, a cleaning liquid supply source 10, and a control unit 17, and the indoor unit 1b is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 6 and an indoor fan 8. Each of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 includes a heat exchange surface, and performs heat exchange between an air flow that circulates on the heat exchange surface and a refrigerant as a heat medium that circulates inside. It is a heat exchanger. A coating film having water slidability and water repellency is formed on the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

  In the air conditioner 1, the compressor 2, the four-way switching valve 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 5, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 are connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigerant circuit that is a heat medium circuit. ing. In this refrigerant circuit, the discharge side of the compressor 2 and the first port 3a of the four-way switching valve 3 are connected by a first gas-side pipe 11, and the second port 3b of the four-way switching valve 3 and outdoor heat exchange. The container 4 is connected by a second gas side pipe 12. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the expansion valve 5 are connected by a first liquid side pipe 15, and the expansion valve 5 and the indoor side heat exchanger 6 are connected by a second liquid side pipe 16. Furthermore, the indoor heat exchanger 6 and the third port 3c of the four-way switching valve 3 are connected by a third gas side pipe 13, and the fourth port 3d of the four-way switching valve 3 and the suction side of the compressor 2 are The fourth gas side pipe 14 is connected.

  An outdoor fan 7 is disposed in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. By driving the outdoor fan 7, outdoor air is taken into the outdoor unit 1 a and supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The air after heat exchange is discharged from the outdoor unit 1a. An indoor fan 8 is disposed in the vicinity of the indoor side heat exchanger 6, and by driving the indoor fan 8, indoor air is taken into the indoor unit 1 b and supplied to the indoor side heat exchanger 6. At the same time, the air after heat exchange is returned to the room.

  Moreover, the washing | cleaning-liquid ejection part 9 is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, and the washing | cleaning-liquid ejection part 9 uses the washing | cleaning liquid for washing away the deposit | attachment adhering to a heat exchange surface, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4's. Supply to heat exchange surface. The cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 10 to the cleaning liquid ejection unit 9. The cleaning liquid ejection unit 9 and the cleaning liquid supply source 10 correspond to a cleaning liquid supply unit.

  The control part 17 which is a control means is comprised, for example with a microcomputer, and controls operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 1, The compressor 2, the four-way switching valve 3, the outdoor fan 7, the indoor fan 8, and a washing | cleaning-liquid ejection part 9 and the like are controlled.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 will be described based on the refrigerant circulation operation in the refrigerant circuit.
During the cooling operation, the four-way selector valve 3 is set to the solid line side shown in FIG. That is, in the four-way switching valve 3, the first port 3a and the second port 3b communicate with each other, and the third port 3c and the fourth port 3d communicate with each other. In this state, the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows through the first gas side pipe 11, the four-way switching valve 3, and the second gas side pipe 12 and is given to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 operates as a condenser, and the gas refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air to condense into a liquid refrigerant, whereby the refrigerant dissipates heat to the outdoor air.

  The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 flows through the first liquid side pipe 15 and is decompressed by the expansion valve 5 to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the expansion valve 5 flows through the second liquid side pipe 16 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 6. The indoor heat exchanger 6 operates as an evaporator, and the refrigerant exchanges heat with room air and evaporates to become a gas refrigerant, whereby the indoor air is absorbed by the refrigerant and cooled. The gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 6 flows through the third gas side pipe 13, the four-way switching valve 3, and the fourth gas side pipe 14 and is sucked into the compressor 2.

  On the other hand, at the time of heating operation, the four-way selector valve 3 is set on the broken line side shown in FIG. That is, in the four-way switching valve 3, the first port 3a and the third port 3c communicate with each other, and the second port 3b and the fourth port 3d communicate with each other. The gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 in this state flows through the first gas side pipe 11, the four-way switching valve 3 and the third gas side pipe 13 and flows into the indoor side heat exchanger 6. The indoor heat exchanger 6 operates as a condenser, and the gas refrigerant is condensed by exchanging heat with room air, whereby the room air is heated by heat radiation from the refrigerant.

  The liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor heat exchanger 6 flows through the second liquid side pipe 16 and is decompressed by the expansion valve 5 to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the expansion valve 5 flows through the first liquid side pipe 15 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 operates as an evaporator, and the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air and evaporates to become a gas refrigerant, whereby the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air. The gas refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 flows through the second gas side pipe 12, the four-way switching valve 3, and the fourth gas side pipe 14 and is sucked into the compressor 2.

  The air conditioner 1 has a function of cleaning the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and cleans the heat exchange surface at a predetermined timing. Cleaning of the heat exchange surface is periodically performed at a time other than the winter season when the heating operation is performed, for example, in the summer season. The term “cleaning periodically” means cleaning every time a certain period of time e.g. once every 30 days.

  In addition, during the period in which the outdoor fan 7 is in operation, such as when the air conditioner 1 is in cooling operation, air flows through the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, so Since dust or the like is likely to adhere, the drive time of the outdoor fan 7 may be measured, and cleaning may be performed when the drive time reaches a certain time, for example, 1000 hours. Further, the cleaning may be performed according to a calendar, for example, on the first day of the month.

  In this embodiment, water is used as the cleaning liquid. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid supply source 10 includes a water storage tank connected to, for example, a water pipe, and supplies water from the water storage tank to the cleaning liquid ejecting unit 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid ejection unit 9 includes an injection nozzle 9 a, and supplies water as the cleaning liquid from the injection nozzle 9 a to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The injection nozzle 9 a is disposed upstream of the flow direction 22 of the air flow supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the cleaning liquid from the upstream side of the flow direction 22 of the air flow with respect to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Is sprayed toward the heat exchange surface.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 4 is a so-called cross fin and tube heat exchanger, and a plurality of plate fins 21 forming a heat exchange surface are spaced apart from each other along a direction orthogonal to the air flow distribution direction 22. The plate fins 21 are arranged so that the heat exchange pipes 23 through which the refrigerant flows are passed through the plate fins 21. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the plate fins 21 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and a fin row in which the plate fins 21 are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the flow direction 22. Two rows are arranged along the distribution direction 22. The fin row may be one row or three or more rows. The heat exchange pipes 23 penetrating the plate fins 21 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction from one end to the other end of the plate fins 21. A coating film having water slidability and water repellency is formed on the surface of the plate fin 21, and the water slidability and water repellency are increased. The plate fin includes all plate-like fins such as flat fins, slit fins, and waffle fins.

  In such an outdoor heat exchanger 4, the water 24 that is the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid ejecting section 9 is supplied to the surface of the plate fin 21, and the dust and dirt adhered to the surface of the plate fin 21 by flowing down the surface of the plate fin 21. It can wash away dirt and other deposits.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, since water, which is a cleaning liquid, is supplied to the surface of the plate fin 21 that is the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 at a predetermined timing in the summer, it adheres to the surface of the plate fin 21. Deposits such as dirt and dust are washed away. Therefore, in the winter season when the heating operation is performed, the surface of the plate fins 21 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is in a clean state in which hardly any deposits are attached. The water smoothly flows down the surface of the plate fin 21 and falls from the lower end to, for example, the upper surface of the drain pan. As a result, it is possible to suppress frost from being generated by freezing water that has been stopped by deposits as in the prior art, so that the amount of frost formation during the heating operation in winter can be reduced. In particular, by washing the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in summer, the amount of frost formation in the early winter season (around the beginning of the heating season) can be reduced.

  (2) In the above embodiment, since water is supplied as the cleaning liquid to the surface of the plate fin 21 having water slidability and water repellency, the water as the cleaning liquid flows smoothly and vigorously, so that the deposits can be easily washed away. Can do.

  (3) In the above embodiment, since the surface of the plate fin 21 that is the heat exchange surface is periodically cleaned, the deposit can be washed out before the deposit on the surface of the plate fin 21 is fixed.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning liquid is jetted and supplied to the surface of the plate fin 21, so that the deposits can be washed away using the momentum generated by the jetting. Thereby, the surface of the plate fin 21 can be easily cleaned.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
-You may make it perform the cleaning of the surface of the plate fin 21 which is a heat exchange surface of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 irregularly. Performing irregularly is, for example, performing cleaning in accordance with an instruction from the user. Further, cleaning may be performed when the degree of contamination on the surface of the plate fin 21 is detected and the contamination becomes severe. By performing the cleaning when necessary as described above, it is possible to efficiently clean the surface of the plate fin 21 that is the heat exchange surface without performing unnecessary cleaning.

  The cleaning liquid may be supplied by flowing down from the upper part of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of cleaning liquid supply pipes 9b having a plurality of ejection holes formed on the lower side are arranged above the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 10 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 9b. , The water 24 as the cleaning liquid is ejected from the ejection hole of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 9 b and flows down from the upper part to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The water 24 that has flowed down flows down the surface of the plate fin 21 to wash away the deposits. According to such a structure, compared with the case where the injection nozzle 9a is used, a washing | cleaning liquid can be supplied easily and installation space can be made small.

  -You may make it use a chemical | medical agent as a washing | cleaning liquid. In this case, a chemical having a high cleaning effect is selected for the coating film formed to increase the water slidability and water repellency of the surface of the plate fin 21. Even in this case, the same effect as when water is used can be obtained.

  -When using chemicals as a cleaning solution, cleaning may be performed not only in summer but also in winter when heating operation is performed. In the winter season, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 operates as an evaporator by performing a heating operation, and water is condensed on the surface of the plate fin 21, so that the condensed water flows down the surface of the plate fin 21, The surface of the plate fin 21 is cleaned. In other words, in winter, two types of cleaning are performed: cleaning with water condensed on the plate fins 21 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 that operates as an evaporator during heating operation, and cleaning with chemicals supplied from the cleaning liquid jetting unit 9. Can be done. By using such two types of cleaning liquids, it is possible to wash away deposits that are difficult to wash away with water, and conversely, it is possible to wash away deposits that are difficult to wash away with water. Thereby, the cleanliness of the surface of the plate fin 21 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can be improved.

  ・ When chemicals are used as cleaning liquids, cleaning using two types of cleaning liquids, condensed water and chemicals, is possible in the winter. In this case, the time interval for performing the defrosting operation in the air conditioner 1 The surface of the plate fin 21 may be cleaned with chemicals when the length becomes shorter. That is, when the time interval of the defrosting operation is shortened, it is when the amount of frost formation within a predetermined time is increased, and this is because a relatively large amount of deposits adhere to the surface of the plate fin 21. Can be considered. And this deposit is thought to be hard to wash away with condensed water. Therefore, if chemicals are supplied as a cleaning liquid, it is possible to wash away deposits that are difficult to wash away with water. Thereby, the surface of the plate fin 21 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can be efficiently cleaned in winter.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since 2nd Embodiment is a structure similar to 1st Embodiment, it attaches | subjects the same referential mark about the same structure, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description.

  The feature of the second embodiment is that the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is operated as an evaporator without providing the cleaning liquid ejection section 9 and the cleaning liquid supply source 10 as in the first embodiment, and the heat exchange surface (the plate of FIG. The condensed water condensed on the surface of the fin 21) is used as a washing liquid to wash away the surface of the heat exchange surface.

  Therefore, in 2nd Embodiment, when wash | cleaning the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, heating operation is performed. Since the operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 1 at the time of heating operation is the same as 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted. The condensed water condensed on the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 by performing the heating operation flows down the surface of the heat exchange surface to wash away the deposits.

  The surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is cleaned regularly in the summer. A specific example of the timing for cleaning is the same as in the first embodiment. However, when cleaning is performed, it is necessary to perform a heating operation in the air conditioner 1, and as a result, indoor air is heated, which causes discomfort to indoor people. Washing is preferably performed.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, since the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can be cleaned without providing a dedicated structure for supplying the cleaning liquid, the structure of the air conditioner 1 is simplified. be able to. Moreover, since it can implement | achieve easily using the structure of the existing air conditioning apparatus, reduction of manufacturing cost can be aimed at.

  (2) In the above embodiment, since water as a cleaning liquid is supplied to the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 at a predetermined timing in summer, dirt, dust, etc. adhering to the surface of the heat exchange surface Deposits are washed away. Therefore, in the winter season when the heating operation is performed, the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is in a clean state with hardly any deposits attached thereto, and therefore the condensation condensed on the surface of the heat exchange surface by the heating operation. Water flows down smoothly on the surface of the heat exchange surface and falls from the lower end to, for example, the upper surface of the drain pan. As a result, it is possible to suppress frost from being generated by freezing water that has been stopped by deposits as in the prior art, so that the amount of frost formation during the heating operation in winter can be reduced. In particular, by cleaning the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in the summer, the amount of frost formation in the early winter season (around the beginning of the heating season) can be reduced.

  (3) In the above embodiment, since water is supplied as a cleaning liquid to the surface of the heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, the water as the cleaning liquid flows smoothly and vigorously, so that the deposits can be easily washed away. Can do.

(4) In the above embodiment, since the surface of the heat exchange surface is periodically cleaned, the deposit can be washed away before the deposit on the surface of the heat exchange surface is fixed.
In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.

  -You may make it perform the washing | cleaning of the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 irregularly similarly to 1st Embodiment. By performing the cleaning when necessary as described above, it is possible to efficiently clean the surface of the heat exchange surface without performing unnecessary cleaning.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since 3rd Embodiment is a structure similar to 1st and 2nd embodiment, it attaches | subjects the same referential mark about the same structure, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description.

  The feature of the third embodiment is that, in the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 has two heat exchange portions on the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the air flow direction 22. 4a and 4b, a second expansion valve 25 and a first closing valve 26 are connected in parallel between the upstream heat exchange section 4a and the downstream heat exchange section 4b, and the expansion valve (this embodiment) The air conditioner 1 is configured by connecting the second closing valve 27 in parallel to the 5) (referred to as the first expansion valve in the form).

  In this air conditioner 1, when performing the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 3 is set to the solid line side shown in FIG. 5, and the first closing valve 26 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is opened, and the first 2 Close the closing valve 27. Then, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 is circulated in the order of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the first expansion valve 5, and the indoor heat exchanger 6, and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is operated as a condenser. At the same time, the indoor heat exchanger 6 is operated as an evaporator.

  On the other hand, when performing the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 3 is set to the broken line side shown in FIG. 5, and the first closing valve 26 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is opened, and the second closing valve 27 is opened. Close the valve. And the refrigerant | coolant discharged from the compressor 2 is circulated in order of the indoor side heat exchanger 6, the 1st expansion valve 5, and the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, and the indoor side heat exchanger 6 is operated as a condenser. At the same time, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is operated as an evaporator.

  Furthermore, when performing the washing | cleaning driving | operation of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, while setting the four-way switching valve 3 to the continuous line side shown in FIG. 5, while closing the 1st closing valve 26 in the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 Then, the second closing valve 27 is opened. And the refrigerant | coolant discharged from the compressor 2 is made into the downstream heat exchange part 4b of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, the 1st expansion valve 5, the upstream heat exchange part 4a of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4, and indoor heat exchange. And the downstream heat exchange section 4b of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is operated as a condenser, and the upstream heat exchange section 4a of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 And operate as an evaporator. As a result, water condenses on the heat exchange surface of the upstream heat exchange section 4a of the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the condensed water flows down the surface of the heat exchange surface, so that the heat exchange of the upstream heat exchange section 4a. The deposits adhering to the surface of the surface are washed away. Thus, in the third embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 can be cleaned while performing the cooling operation.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the above embodiment, when the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is cleaned in the summer, the cleaning can be performed while performing the cooling operation. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the summer It is no longer necessary to perform heating operation, and cleaning can be performed without causing discomfort to indoor people.

  (2) In the above embodiment, since water as a cleaning liquid is supplied to the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 at a predetermined timing in summer, dirt, dust, etc. adhering to the surface of the plate fin 21 Deposits are washed away. Therefore, in the winter season when the heating operation is performed, the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is in a clean state with hardly any deposits attached thereto, and therefore the condensation condensed on the surface of the heat exchange surface by the heating operation. Water flows down smoothly on the surface of the heat exchange surface and falls from the lower end to, for example, the upper surface of the drain pan. As a result, it is possible to suppress frost from being generated by freezing water that has been stopped by deposits as in the prior art, so that the amount of frost formation during the heating operation in winter can be reduced. In particular, by cleaning the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in the summer, the amount of frost formation in the early winter season (around the beginning of the heating season) can be reduced.

  (3) In the above embodiment, since water is supplied as a cleaning liquid to the surface of the heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, the water as the cleaning liquid flows smoothly and vigorously, so that the deposits can be easily washed away. Can do.

(4) In the above embodiment, since the surface of the heat exchange surface is periodically cleaned, the deposit can be washed away before the deposit on the surface of the heat exchange surface is fixed.
In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.

  In the above embodiment, the second closing valve 27 and the first closing valve 26 are connected in parallel to the first expansion valve 5 and the second expansion valve 25, respectively. When using 5 and 25, it is not necessary to provide the first and second closing valves 26 and 27. In this case, when the first and second expansion valves 5 and 25 are made to function as expansion valves, the opening degree is set to be small, and when the refrigerant is allowed to pass through without functioning as the expansion valve, the opening degree is set to be fully open. That's fine.

-You may make it perform the washing | cleaning of the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4 irregularly similarly to 1st Embodiment. By performing the cleaning when necessary as described above, it is possible to efficiently clean the surface of the heat exchange surface without performing unnecessary cleaning.
In the above embodiment, the washing is performed while performing the cooling operation, but the bypass pipe is connected in parallel to the indoor heat exchanger 6, and the refrigerant is allowed to pass through the indoor heat exchanger 6. If it is configured to be able to circulate, cleaning can be performed without performing the cooling operation. Thus, cleaning can be performed without cooling the room.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since 4th Embodiment is a structure similar to 1st-3rd Embodiment, it attaches | subjects the same referential mark about the same structure, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description.

  A feature of the fourth embodiment is that, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a filter 28 is disposed as dust collecting means upstream of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 in the air flow direction. . An electric dust collector can also be used as the dust collecting means. In the air conditioner 1 of the fourth embodiment, the air flow from which dirt and dust are removed by the filter 28 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, so that the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 becomes dirty. Adherence such as dust and garbage is suppressed.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the above embodiment, since the air flow from which dirt and dust are removed by the filter 28 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 4, it is attached to the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. It is suppressed that a kimono adheres. Therefore, since the surface of the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger can always be maintained in a clean state with almost no deposits, the condensed water condensed on the surface of the heat exchange surface during heating operation in winter The surface of the surface flows down smoothly and falls from the lower end to, for example, the upper surface of the drain pan. As a result, it is possible to prevent the water stopped by the adhering matter from freezing and generating frost as in the conventional case, and thus the amount of frost formation can be reduced.

  In each of the above embodiments, a heat pump type air conditioner which is a kind of refrigeration apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention may be applied to, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer.

  The present invention can be applied to a refrigeration apparatus configured using a heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency. For example, the present invention is useful for devices that require defrosting, such as home and commercial air conditioners, household and commercial freezers, household and commercial refrigerators, and domestic and commercial hot water supply devices. In addition, in a heat pump type air conditioner that is a kind of refrigeration equipment, the heat exchange surface of the outdoor heat exchanger tends to adhere to the outdoor air when it touches the outdoor air, causing an increase in the amount of frost formation. Therefore, the present invention is useful.

The refrigerant circuit figure which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the washing | cleaning state of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4. FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the other washing | cleaning state of the outdoor side heat exchanger 4. FIG. The refrigerant circuit diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment. The refrigerant circuit diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment. The refrigerant circuit figure which shows 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing for demonstrating a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air conditioning apparatus, 2 ... Compressor, 3 ... Four-way switching valve, 4 ... Outdoor heat exchanger, 4a ... Upstream heat exchange part, 4b ... Downstream heat exchange part, 5 ... Expansion valve, 6 ... Chamber Inner heat exchanger, 9 ... cleaning liquid ejection part, 9a ... injection nozzle, 9b ... cleaning liquid supply pipe, 10 ... cleaning liquid supply source, 17 ... control part, 21 ... plate fin, 22 ... flow direction, 23 ... heat exchange pipe, 24 ... water, 25 ... second expansion valve, 26 ... first closing valve, 27 ... second closing valve, 28 ... filter

Claims (9)

In a refrigeration apparatus comprising a heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between an air flow flowing on the heat exchange surface and a heat medium flowing through the inside,
Cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the heat exchange surface with a cleaning liquid for washing away the deposits adhering to the heat exchange surface;
A refrigeration apparatus comprising: control means for operating the cleaning liquid supply means at a predetermined timing.   2. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means periodically operates the cleaning liquid supply means.   2. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means operates the cleaning liquid supply means irregularly.   The refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning liquid supply unit sprays and supplies the cleaning liquid supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source toward the heat exchange surface.   The refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning liquid supply unit supplies the cleaning liquid supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source by flowing down from an upper part of the heat exchanger.   The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid is water. In a refrigeration apparatus comprising a heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between an air flow flowing on the heat exchange surface and a heat medium flowing through the inside,
A refrigeration apparatus characterized in that the heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator to condense water on the heat exchange surface, and the adhered matter adhering to the heat exchange surface is washed away by the condensed water. A heat medium circuit by connecting an outdoor heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, an indoor heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, and a compressor that compresses and discharges the heat medium Configure
During heating operation, the heat medium discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the indoor heat exchanger, the first expansion valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger, so that the indoor heat exchanger is a condenser. And operating the outdoor heat exchanger as an evaporator,
During the cooling operation, the heat medium discharged from the compressor is circulated in the order of the outdoor heat exchanger, the first expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger is a condenser. In the refrigerating apparatus that performs the air conditioning by the heat pump method by operating the indoor heat exchanger as an evaporator,
The outdoor heat exchanger is divided into two heat exchange portions, upstream and downstream, with respect to the flow direction of the air flow, and second between the upstream heat exchange portion and the downstream heat exchange portion. Connect the expansion valve,
When performing the washing operation of the outdoor heat exchanger, the heat medium discharged from the compressor is used as a downstream heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger. The upstream heat exchange section and the indoor heat exchanger are circulated in this order to operate the downstream heat exchange section of the outdoor heat exchanger as a condenser, and the upstream heat of the outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigeration is characterized in that the exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are operated as an evaporator, and the adhering matter adhering to the heat exchange surface is washed away by the condensed water condensed on the heat exchange surface of the upstream heat exchange portion. apparatus. In a refrigeration apparatus comprising a heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface having water slidability and water repellency, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between an air flow flowing on the heat exchange surface and a heat medium flowing through the inside,
A refrigeration apparatus comprising dust collecting means disposed upstream of the heat exchanger in the air flow direction.

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