JP2006336911A - Indoor unit for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor unit for an air conditioner capable of improving humidification performance in a room without enlarging the unit while having a comparatively simple composition. <P>SOLUTION: The indoor unit for the air conditioner is provided with a unit body 10 provided with an indoor heat exchanger 11 and a heat exchanger 12 for water heating connected in parallel with each other, and communicated with a refrigerant gas pipe Pc and a refrigerant liquid pipe Pb composing a heat pump circuit, a blower 13 guiding indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger and the heat exchanger for water heating to carry out heat exchange, and blowing it into the room after the heat exchange, and a humidification mechanism 14 guiding water for humidification to the heat exchanger for water heating to carry out heating, and evaporating it into the heat-exchanged air to humidify the room. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that is separated into an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and more particularly to an improvement of a humidifying structure in the indoor unit.

For general houses, an air conditioner of a type separated into an outdoor unit and an indoor unit is often used. In particular, the heat exchanger and the air blower are arranged opposite to each other in the unit main body constituting the indoor unit so that the indoor air is guided to the heat exchanger to exchange heat, and then the heat exchange air is blown into the room. It has become.
Recently, in order to prevent an excessive dry state in a room, for example, in winter, there is a tendency to provide an air conditioner including a dedicated humidifying means in an indoor unit. [Patent Document 1] discloses a water storage tank, a humidifying unit, a circulation pump that circulates water in the water storage tank to the humidifying unit, and a first heat exchanger that heats / cools indoor air supplied to the humidifying unit. And the air conditioner provided with the 2nd heat exchanger which heats / cools the water in a water storage tank is disclosed.
The heat pump circuit which connected the said 1st heat exchanger and the 2nd heat exchanger in series with the compressor, the four-way switching valve, the expansion valve, and the outdoor heat exchanger is comprised. The second heat exchanger heats / cools the water in the water storage tank, and the circulation pump guides this water to the humidification means. The room air heated / cooled by the first heat exchanger is guided to the humidifying means, and water is evaporated to humidify the room air. Humidified heat exchange air is blown into the room to increase the humidity in the room.
JP 2002-357340 A

By the way, according to the building management law currently in force, it is stipulated that indoor humidity is maintained in a range of 40 to 70% in a large-scale building such as a building. As an air conditioner manufacturer, the development of an air conditioner that conforms to the above-mentioned standards is being promoted in general houses as well.
However, there are many restrictions in providing a humidification means newly with respect to the conventional air conditioning apparatus. That is, the indoor unit has a basic condition that the installation space in the room must be made as small as possible, and no change is recognized even if a new humidifying means is provided.

For example, the humidification means cannot be increased in size to improve the humidification performance, and the blower cannot be increased in size to increase the air volume, and the minimum humidity of 40% is often not reached. In addition, when the humidifying means is a vaporization type, the humidity control is performed by ON / OFF control of the water supply electromagnetic valve, so there is a disadvantage that the humidity fluctuation becomes large.
[Patent Document 1] described above includes a heat pump circuit in which a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat with indoor air and a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat with water in the water storage tank are connected in series. . Therefore, under conditions of low outside air temperature and humidity such as in winter, it is extremely difficult to obtain high-temperature condensation heat in both the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and sufficient heating action is sufficient. May not be able to ensure proper humidification performance.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner capable of improving the humidification performance in a room while having a relatively simple configuration. Is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a unit main body including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger that are connected in parallel with each other and connected to a refrigerant gas pipe and a refrigerant liquid pipe constituting a heat pump circuit. A blower that guides indoor air to at least the first heat exchanger to exchange heat, and then blows the air into the room; and a humidifier water that is heated by introducing and heating the humidifying water to the second heat exchanger in the heat exchange air Humidifying means for evaporating and humidifying the room.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect which can aim at the improvement of the humidification performance with respect to a room with a comparatively simple structure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration and a cycle configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit G and an indoor unit N.
The outdoor unit G is disposed outdoors. In the unit main body 1 indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure, a compressor 2, a four-way switching valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, and an outdoor PMV (electronic automatic expansion valve: the same applies hereinafter). ) 5 is accommodated and communicated through the refrigerant pipe Pa.
That is, the discharge part a and the suction part b of the compressor 2 are communicated with the two connection ports c and d of the four-way switching valve 3. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the outdoor PMV 5 are communicated in series with the other connection port e of the four-way switching valve 3, and are communicated with a liquid pipe connection valve 6 provided on the side surface of the unit body 1. The remaining connection port f of the four-way switching valve 3 communicates with a gas pipe connection valve 7 provided on the side surface of the unit body 1.

A refrigerant liquid pipe Pb is connected to the liquid pipe connection valve 6, and a refrigerant gas pipe Pc is connected to the gas pipe connection valve 7. Each of the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc extends along the vicinity of the unit main body 10 constituting the indoor unit N and indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing. Since an air conditioner is assumed to be a multi-type that simultaneously air-conditions a plurality of air-conditioned rooms, the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc extend along the vicinity of other indoor units not shown here. The plug is inserted into the final end and closed.
The indoor unit N is installed in an air-conditioning room. Inside the unit main body 10, an indoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) 11 and a water heating heat exchanger (second heat exchanger) 12 are provided. And the air blower 13 and the 1st humidification mechanism (humidification means) 14 are accommodated. By driving the blower 13, indoor air is sucked into the unit body 10, and a flow passage S for heat exchange air that is blown into the room after flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 11 is formed. ing.

The indoor heat exchanger 11 and the water heating heat exchanger 12 are respectively provided in refrigerant pipes Pd and Pe communicating with the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc, and are connected in parallel to each other. An indoor PMV 15 is connected to the refrigerant pipe Pd connecting the indoor heat exchanger 11 and the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb. A water heating PMV 16 is connected to the refrigerant pipe Pe connecting the water heating heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb. A water heating electromagnetic valve 17 is connected to the refrigerant pipe Pe that connects the water heating heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc.
The first humidification mechanism 14 includes a storage tank (storage container) 18 for storing humidification water, and an upper part of the storage tank 18 and on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the heat exchange air flow passage S. A humidifying element 19 and a first humidifying water circulation circuit 20 are provided. In addition, it is preferable to arrange | position the said heat exchanger 12 for water heating in the position remove | deviated from the flow path S of heat exchange air.

The first humidification water circulation circuit 20 will be further described. As will be described later with respect to the humidification element 19 and the water heat exchanger 21 provided inside the water heating heat exchanger 12 and conducting the humidification water. A water sprinkling pipe 22, a circulation pump 23, and a water pipe 24 that communicates the above components are provided.
The water pipe 24 communicates the storage tank 18, the circulation pump 23, the water heat exchanger 21 and the water sprinkling pipe 22 in order. By driving the circulation pump 23, the humidifying water stored in the storage tank 18 is pumped up and guided to the water heat exchanger 21, and further guided to the water spray pipe 22 to spray the humidifying element 19. The humidification water flowing down from the humidification element 19 is received by the storage tank 18, and the circulation pump 23 pumps the humidification water from the storage tank 18 again.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front view and a side view for explaining the schematic configuration and operation of the humidifying element 19 and the watering pipe 22.
The humidifying element 19 itself has good water permeability like a commercially available product used in the past and is excellent in evaporability, for example, is formed of a non-woven fabric, and has a large number of ventilation holes extending from one side surface to the other side surface. It is open.
With respect to the humidifying element 19, a water pipe 24 extending from the water heat exchanging portion 21 is formed on one side of the humidifying element 19 and from the lower portion along the upper end portion. There are a plurality of the watering pipes 22, and each is connected to the rising portion of the water pipe 24 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. And each sprinkling pipe 22 is extended along the longitudinal direction of the humidification element 19 in parallel with each other.

The water sprinkling pipe 22 is attached to the upstream side of the heat exchange air flow path S with respect to the humidifying element 19, and the humidifying water sprinkled from the water sprinkling pipe 22 rides on the heat exchange air to wet the humidifying element 19.
As shown in FIG. 1 again, in the vicinity of the indoor unit N, a water supply pipe 25 communicating with a water supply source (not shown) and a drain pipe 26 communicating with a drainage source (not shown) are provided. A branch water supply pipe 25a is connected to the middle of the water supply pipe 25. A water supply valve 27 is provided in the branch water supply pipe 25a and communicates with a float valve 28 provided in the storage tank 18.

The float valve 28 includes a float for detecting the level of humidifying water stored in the storage tank 18. The float valve 28 is opened when a predetermined water level or lower is detected, and supplies humidifying water from the water supply pipe 25 to the storage tank 18 via the branch water supply pipe 25a and the water supply valve 27, but is closed when a predetermined water level or higher is detected. To do.
The water supply valve 27 is opened under the condition that an air humidity sensor 30 to be described below detects a predetermined humidity or less, so that water can be supplied to the storage tank 18, and is closed when the air humidity sensor 30 detects a set humidity or higher. To do. The operation / stop of the circulation pump 23 is controlled as the water supply valve 27 is opened and closed.

A branch drain pipe 26 a is connected to the middle of the drain pipe 26, and a drain valve 29 is provided in the branch drain pipe 26 a and is connected to the bottom of the storage tank 18. The drain valve 29 is normally closed. However, the drain valve 29 can be opened as necessary, for example, when draining as described later, and the humidifying water in the storage tank 18 can be discharged.
In the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 11, an air temperature sensor 31 for detecting the indoor temperature and the air humidity sensor 30 for detecting the indoor humidity are provided. A refrigerant liquid temperature sensor 32 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant condensate is attached to the refrigerant pipe Pe that communicates the water heating PMV 16 and the water heating heat exchanger 12. A refrigerant condensing temperature sensor 33 that detects the condensing temperature of the refrigerant is attached to an intermediate portion of the water heating heat exchanger 12.
All these sensors 30 to 33 are electrically connected to a control unit (control means) (not shown), and the detection signals detected by the sensors are sent to the control unit and perform necessary calculations here. The control signal, which is the calculation result, is sent to the compressor 2, the four-way switching valve 3, the outdoor PMV 5, the blower 13, the indoor PMV 15, the water heating PMV 16, the water heating solenoid valve 17, the circulation pump 23, the water supply valve 27, and the waste water. It is sent to each electric component such as the valve 29.

Although the air conditioner is configured in this way, the connection structure of the indoor heat exchanger 11 and the indoor PMV 15 with respect to the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc, and the arrangement of the indoor heat exchanger 11 and the blower 13 are conventional. It is a normal indoor unit itself. And here, the water heating heat exchanger 12 and the first humidifying mechanism 14 provided with the first humidifying water circulation circuit 20 are unitized and added to the indoor unit of the normal configuration described above. Thus, the new indoor unit N described above is obtained.
Next, the operation of the air conditioner will be described.
When a cooling operation instruction is given from a remote control panel (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “remote control”), the compressor 2 is driven, and the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas passes through the four-way switching valve 3 to the outdoor heat exchanger. 4 is led to heat exchange with outside air to condense and liquefy. The liquid refrigerant is conducted to the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb via the liquid pipe connection valve 6 and further guided to each indoor unit N.

  In the indoor unit N, the water heating PMV 16 is closed, and the liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the indoor PMV 15 and guided to the indoor heat exchanger 11. At the same time, the blower 13 is driven, and the indoor air flows through the indoor heat exchanger 11 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The refrigerant evaporates and takes latent heat of evaporation from the indoor air. The room air is blown into the room through the blower 13 in a state of being lowered in temperature, and the room is cooled. The refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 11 is sucked into the compressor 2 through the refrigerant gas pipe Pc, the gas pipe connection valve 7, and the four-way switching valve 3, and is compressed again to circulate through the above-described path. When an instruction for heating operation is given to the remote controller, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 2 is guided to the indoor heat exchanger 11 through the four-way switching valve 3, the gas pipe connection valve 7, and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc. The water heating solenoid valve 17 is closed, and the refrigerant gas is not guided to the water heating heat exchanger 12.

The refrigerant gas guided to the indoor heat exchanger 11 is condensed and liquefied by exchanging heat with indoor air. The indoor air absorbs the heat of condensation accompanying the refrigerant liquefaction and rises in temperature. The heat exchange air heated to a high temperature is blown into the room, and the room is heated.
The liquid refrigerant derived from the indoor heat exchanger 11 passes through the indoor PMV 15 and is led to the outdoor PMV 5 through the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb and the liquid pipe connection valve 6, and after being decompressed, is led to the outdoor heat exchanger 4. It is burned. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 evaporates by exchanging heat with the outside air, and is further sucked into the compressor 2 from the four-way switching valve 3 and compressed to circulate through the above-described path.

During the heating operation, the humidification operation is automatically started under the condition that the air humidity sensor 30 detects a predetermined ideal humidity or less.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a situation in the indoor unit N during the humidifying operation.
At the start of the humidification operation, the water supply valve 27 is opened, and humidification water is supplied from the water supply pipe 25 to the storage tank 18 via the float valve 28. When the water level of the humidifying water is detected to be equal to or higher than the predetermined water level, the float valve 28 is closed and the water supply is stopped. At a predetermined timing, the circulation pump 23 is driven to pump up the humidifying water in the storage tank 18 and guide it to the water heat exchanger 21 provided in the water heating heat exchanger 12.

At the same time, the water heating solenoid valve 17 is opened, and the refrigerant gas conducted to the refrigerant gas pipe Pc is led to the water heating heat exchanger 12. In the water heating heat exchanger 12, the refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the humidifying water flowing in the water heat exchanging section 21 constituting the first humidifying water circulation circuit 20. Since the humidifying water being led is at a low temperature, the refrigerant gas is cooled and condensed into a liquid.
Condensation heat accompanying the liquefaction of the refrigerant is released to the humidifying water in the water heat exchanger 21, and the temperature of the humidifying water rises. The humidified water for humidification exits from the water heat exchanger 21 and is led to the water spray pipe 22 where it is sprinkled on the humidifying element 19.

High-temperature hot air that has exchanged heat with the indoor heat exchanger 11 is guided to the humidifying element 19 disposed on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the flow passage S of the heat exchange air. Therefore, the humidifying element 19 is heated, and the hot water sprinkled from the sprinkling pipe 22 and permeating the humidifying element 19 immediately evaporates.
A large amount of evaporated water is added to the heat exchange air passing through the humidifying element 19, and the heat exchange air is humidified to be in a state containing a large amount of moisture and blown out from the blower 13 into the room. The humidity in the room rises rapidly, and the environment is set within the ideal set humidity range.

The flow rate of the liquid refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 11 is adjusted by the indoor PMV 15 and flows into the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb. Further, the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant condensed in the water heating heat exchanger 12 is adjusted by the water heating PMV 16 and flows into the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb.
In particular, the water heating PMV 16 is controlled so that the degree of supercooling (temperature difference between the refrigerant condensation temperature sensor 33 and the refrigerant liquid temperature sensor 32) is constant. Therefore, an appropriate refrigerant flow rate corresponding to the amount of humidifying water supplied to the humidifying element 19 is guided to the water heating heat exchanger 12 to always perform a condensing action in an optimum supercooled state.

By providing the first humidifying mechanism 14 using such a refrigeration cycle and heating the humidifying water, the temperature of the humidifying water can be kept high. Compared with the conventional humidification structure in which humidification water is simply supplied to the humidification element and heated with warm air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger, the absolute humidity of the heat exchange air around the humidification water is Higher than.
If the structure of the present invention is adopted, the difference in absolute humidity with room air becomes large, the amount of humidification with respect to the heat exchange air is increased, and the humidification efficiency can be improved. And since it heats with respect to the water for humidification by the refrigerating cycle, it becomes heating more efficient than the heating using an electric heater etc.

Moreover, in the conventional humidification structure, the watering pipe is arrange | positioned above the humidification element, and water is sprinkled from the upper part of a humidification element. In this type of structure, even if the temperature of the humidifying water is kept high, the sprinkling flow rate is small, so that the warm water quickly cools due to the latent heat of vaporization in the process of flowing down from the top of the humidifying element and evaporating. Therefore, only the upper part of the humidifying element increases the humidification amount.
On the other hand, by adopting the first humidification mechanism 14 described above, it is possible to hold a large amount of warmed humidifying water and supply it to the humidifying element 19, and to recirculate the humidifying water, thereby further circulating water volume. As a result, the temperature can be prevented from lowering due to evaporation of the humidifying water in the humidifying element 19 and the amount of humidification can be increased.

As described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a plurality of water spray pipes 22 are arranged in parallel on the side surface of the humidifying element 19. The warmed humidifying water sprayed from each sprinkling pipe 22 is sprayed on the entire humidifying element 19 by riding on the hot hot air derived from the indoor heat exchanger 11. It is possible to obtain an increase in humidifying capacity as compared with the conventional structure in which the humidifying water is simply sprinkled from the sprinkling pipe above the humidifying element.
As the humidifying element 19 itself, a commercially available product used conventionally may be applied as it is. Therefore, there is no need to newly order a special humidifying element, and the influence on the cost can be suppressed.

The number of rotations of the circulation pump 23 is controlled according to the room humidity, and the circulation flow rate of the humidifying water can be controlled. When the indoor humidity is lower than the ideal humidity, the number of rotations of the circulation pump 23 is increased to increase the circulation flow rate of the humidifying water. A larger amount of warmed humidifying water is introduced to the humidifying element 19, and the temperature drop of the humidifying water in the humidifying element 19 is reduced, so that the amount of humidification can be increased.
When the indoor humidity is close to the upper limit value of the ideal humidity, the rotational flow rate of the circulation pump 23 is decreased to reduce the circulation flow rate of the humidifying water. The decrease in the water temperature of the humidifying water in the humidifying element 19 becomes larger than in the case where the circulation flow rate is large, and the humidification amount becomes small.
As described above, since the indoor humidity is controlled by changing the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 23, control with less fluctuation in humidity is possible compared to ON / OFF control of the humidifying water supply such as a humidifier having a conventional structure. it can.

In the first humidification mechanism 14 described above, the circulation pump 23 is stopped at regular intervals even during the humidification operation, the water supply valve 27 is closed, the drain valve 29 is opened, and the storage tank 18 is opened. Drain the humidifying water.
After waiting for all the humidifying water sprayed on the humidifying element 19 to drip, the humidifying water is discharged from the storage tank 18, and then the drain valve 29 is closed again, the water supply valve 27 is opened, and the circulation pump 23 is operated. Then restart the humidifying operation. Therefore, precipitation of impurities accompanying evaporation of humidifying water can be prevented, and a clean environment can be maintained over the entire first humidifying mechanism 14.

As mentioned above, you may change the structure of the humidification element 19 demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, and the water sprinkling tube 22 so that it may describe in FIG. 4 thru | or FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), a plurality of rectangular humidifying elements 50 are prepared, and the holes 51 into which the watering pipes 22 can be inserted in a press-fitted state are provided in a state where they are overlapped with each other. Provided on the windward side of the road S. The humidifying elements 50 are juxtaposed with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the sprinkling pipes 22 are press-fitted into the holes 51, respectively.
If such a structure is adopted, the water spraying with respect to the humidifying element 50 is further improved, and not only the support structure of the water spray pipe 22 is unnecessary, but also the connection member for connecting the humidifying elements 50 to each other is unnecessary. Become.

Further, as a substitute for the sprinkling pipe 22, a mechanism for spraying humidifying water is prepared, and the humidifying water is sprayed on the entire humidifying element 50 in a sprayed state, so that high-temperature humidifying water can be applied to the entire humidifying element 50 at low cost. Can supply.
As shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), while a flat sprinkling pipe 55 is prepared, a plurality of rectangular humidification elements 60 are overlapped, and a plurality of rectangular humidification elements 60 are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. A mounting groove 52 is provided. These mounting grooves 52 may be provided from the windward one side end of the humidifying element 60 to the vicinity of the other side end as long as the rigidity of the humidifying element 60 is not impaired.
The humidifying elements 60 are juxtaposed with each other at a predetermined interval, and a flat sprinkling pipe 55 is fitted into the mounting groove 52. By adopting such a configuration, high-temperature humidification water can be sprinkled over almost the entire humidification element 60 from one side of the humidification element 60 to the other side, thereby further improving the humidification ability. It is done.

As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), the humidifying element 70 has an overall shape with a small width at the upper end in a side view, a gradually widening width toward the lower side, and a width at the lower end. Is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape. The humidifying element 70 is formed by arranging a plurality of trapezoidal plate bodies in parallel at predetermined intervals along the width direction, and heat exchange air flows between these plate bodies. Yes.
Or you may comprise from the laminated body of a corrugated cardboard, or may comprise from the laminated body of a corrugated corrugated sheet material. In any case, the constituent material as the humidifying element 70 is used, and the flow path S of the heat exchange air must be formed.
A plurality of grooves are provided at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction so as to be gradually inclined downward from one side surface 70a of the humidifying element 70 toward the other side surface 70b, and are identical to each other. A flat watering pipe 75 having a width dimension is fitted.
In other words, one end of the flat sprinkling pipe 75 is aligned with the side end surface 70a of the humidifying element 70, and the other end of the flat sprinkling pipe 75 is attached to the inclined surface 70b of the humidifying element 70 with a predetermined distance. Since the flat sprinkling pipes 75 have the same width, the distance between the ends of the flat sprinkling pipes 75 and the humidifying element inclined surface 70b is gradually increased along the flat sprinkling pipe 75 from the upper part to the lower part.

These flat sprinkling pipes 75 are provided with watering holes only on the lower surface, so that the humidifying water sprayed from the sprinkling holes of the upper flat sprinkling pipes 75 falls on the humidifying element 70 attached immediately below. It has become. In the flow path S of the heat exchange air with respect to the humidifying element 70, the inclined upper end side of the flat water sprinkling pipe 75 that is the side end surface 70a is the windward side, and the inclined lower end side that is the inclined surface 70b is the leeward side.
Both side end portions of all the flat sprinkling pipes 75 protrude from both side surfaces 70c of the humidifying element 70, and an inlet header 76 is connected to one of these protrusion portions and the windward end portion. On the other hand, an outlet header 77 is connected to the end portion on the leeward side. The inlet header 76 communicates with the water heat exchanger 21, the circulation pump 23, and the storage tank 18 provided in the water heating heat exchanger 12 via the water pipe 24. The outlet header 77 is immersed in humidification water stored in the storage tank 18 at the lower end opening, and is in direct communication with the storage tank 18. Therefore, these constitute the first humidifying water circulation circuit 20A.

When the refrigeration cycle operation is started, the circulation pump 23 is driven to guide the water in the storage tank 18 to the water heat exchanger 21 and warm water. The obtained hot water is diverted from the inlet header 76 to each flat sprinkling pipe 75 and sprinkled from a sprinkling hole provided on the lower surface. While the humidifying element 70 gets wet with the warmed humidifying water, the heated heat exchange air is guided along the flow path S to evaporate the humidifying water.
In other words, the humidifying water sprayed from the sprinkling holes of the upper flat sprinkling pipe 75 flows down to the upper surface of the lower flat sprinkling pipe 75 via the humidifying element 70. Since the water sprinkling pipe 75 is attached with an inclination and heat exchange air is blown toward the lower part of the inclination, the warmed humidifying water flows smoothly while evaporating. And it reaches | attains from the inclination lower end of the sprinkling pipe 75 to the part in which the sprinkling pipe 75 is not attached. Since the above-mentioned portion of the humidifying element 70 is wide, the humidifying water collected from each section flows smoothly while evaporating and is guided to the storage tank 18.

By adopting such a humidifying element 70 and a flat sprinkling pipe 75 structure, and a mounting structure of the sprinkling pipe 75 to the humidifying element 70, the humidifying water flow rate of the humidifying element 70 section divided by the sprinkling pipe 75 is reduced. Clogging of the humidifying water in the humidifying element 70 is reduced, and ventilation resistance to the circulating heat exchange air is reduced.
Since the sprinkling pipe 75 has a flat shape, a sprinkling hole is provided on the lower surface, and the humidifying water flows along the upper surface of the lower sprinkling pipe 75, so that the humidifying water absorbs heat from the sprinkling pipe 75 itself and the temperature Reduction is suppressed. In other words, heat conduction from the flat water spray pipe 75 prevents cooling of the warmed humidifying water, while the humidifying element 70 includes a plurality of flat water spray pipes 75, so that the entire humidifying element 70 is covered. Keep high temperature. Accordingly, the circulation amount of the humidifying water can be reduced, a sufficient evaporation amount can be obtained, and the humidification performance is further improved.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration and a cycle configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the same component as the component of the air conditioning apparatus in 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same number is attached | subjected and new description is abbreviate | omitted or it demonstrates very simply.
In the outdoor unit G, an accumulator 40 is provided between the suction portion b of the compressor 2 and the four-way switching valve 3, and a liquid tank 41 is provided between the outdoor PMV 5 and the liquid pipe connection valve 6. The accumulator 40 and the liquid tank 41 are newly added, but basically have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

In the indoor unit N, an indoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) 11, a humidification dedicated heat exchanger (second heat exchanger) 42, a blower 13, and a second humidification mechanism are provided in the unit body 10. (Humidifying means) 43 is accommodated. Here, the indoor heat exchanger 11 and the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 are arranged in parallel with each other with respect to the blower 13, and in the heat exchange air flow passage S formed when the blower 13 is driven. Each heat exchanger 11, 42 is arranged individually.
The indoor heat exchanger 11 and the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 are respectively provided in refrigerant pipes Pd and Pe communicating with the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc, and are connected in parallel to each other. A humidifying PMV 44 is connected to the refrigerant pipe Pe that connects the humidifying exclusive heat exchanger 42 and the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb. A humidifying solenoid valve 45 is connected to the refrigerant pipe Pe that connects the humidifying dedicated heat exchanger 42 and the refrigerant gas pipe Pc.

The second humidification mechanism 43 has a storage tank (storage container) 18 that stores humidification water, and a second humidification water circulation that pumps the humidification water stored in the storage tank 18 and sprinkles the humidification water in the humidification heat exchanger 42. Circuit 46.
The second humidification water circulation circuit 46 will be further described. The circuit 46 includes a circulation pump 23 that pumps up the humidification water in the storage tank 18, and a watering section 47 provided at the upper portion of the humidification-specific heat exchanger 42. These are communicated by a water pipe 24.
By driving the circulation pump 23, the humidifying water pumped from the storage tank 18 is guided to the sprinkling unit 47 and sprinkled from here to the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42. The humidification water flowing down from the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 is received by the storage tank 18 and pumped up by the circulation pump 23 again.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an arrangement configuration of the storage tank 18 and the water sprinkling portion 47 with respect to the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42.
In the humidifying exclusive heat exchanger 42, as in the indoor heat exchanger 11 (not shown), the heat exchanging pipe h passes through a plurality of fins g juxtaposed with a narrow gap therebetween, and a meandering shape. It is a normal fin tube type that forms the refrigerant flow path.
The storage tank 18 is formed of a rectangular box whose upper surface is opened, and the upper surface opening is arranged to face the bottom of the humidification-only heat exchanger 42. The water sprinkling portion 47 is composed of a water sprinkling box 48a mounted on the upper end of the humidifying exclusive heat exchanger 42 and connected to the water pipe 24, and a lid body 48b that opens and closes an opening formed on the upper surface. Become. A large number of small holes are provided on the bottom surface of the watering box 48a so that humidification water guided from the water pipe 24 can be sprayed.

As shown in FIG. 7 again, as in the first embodiment, a water supply valve 27 and a float valve 28 are provided in a branch water supply pipe 25 a branched from the water supply pipe 25, and a branch water discharge pipe 26 a branched from the drain pipe 26 is provided. A drain valve 29 is provided. An air temperature sensor 31 and an air humidity sensor 30 are provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 11, and a refrigerant liquid temperature sensor 32 is attached to a refrigerant pipe Pe that communicates the humidifying PMV 44 and the humidifying dedicated heat exchanger 42. A refrigerant condensing temperature sensor 33 is attached to an intermediate portion of the dedicated heat exchanger 42.
In the air conditioner configured as described above, during the cooling operation and the heating operation, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 is guided to the indoor heat exchanger 11 to exchange heat with indoor air. Cooling action or heating action. The humidifying electromagnetic valve 45 is closed, and no refrigerant is guided to the humidifying heat exchanger 42.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the situation in the indoor unit N during the humidifying operation.
When the air humidity sensor 30 detects the set humidity or lower during the heating operation, the water supply valve 27 is opened, and humidification water is supplied to the storage tank 18. The circulation pump 23 is driven at a timing when a certain amount of humidifying water is stored in the storage tank 18, and the humidifying water in the storage tank 18 is pumped up and guided to the sprinkler 47. In the watering part 47, water for humidification is sprinkled to the heat exchanger 42 only for humidification. The water for humidification sprinkled flows down along the surface of the heat exchanger 42 exclusively for humidification.
On the other hand, the humidifying electromagnetic valve 45 is opened, and high-temperature gas refrigerant is supplied from the refrigerant gas pipe Pc to the humidification-only heat exchanger 42. In the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42, the gas refrigerant flows through the heat exchange pipe h constituting the heat exchanger and exchanges heat with the humidifying water flowing down the fin g surface to be condensed and liquefied.

For the water for humidification, the heat of condensation accompanying the liquefaction of the refrigerant is absorbed while flowing down the surface of the fin g, and is quickly heated to become hot hot water. Moreover, the indoor air led to the humidification-only heat exchanger 42 absorbs the heat of condensation of the refrigerant and rises in temperature.
Therefore, the humidifying water that has been turned into high-temperature water comes into contact with the heat exchange air that is hot air, and the humidifying water immediately evaporates. Since the heat exchange air is humidified and high-humidity warm air is blown out into the room, the room humidity rises rapidly and is brought to the ideal set humidity range.
When the humidification water evaporates in the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42, the amount of humidification water circulating through the second humidification water circulation circuit 46 is reduced, and the water level of the storage tank 18 is lowered. When the float valve 28 provided in the storage tank 18 detects a decrease in the predetermined water level, the water for humidification is replenished so that the water level becomes constant by opening.

The refrigerant liquefied by the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 is guided to the refrigerant liquid pipe Pb through the humidification PMV 44. The humidifying PMV 44 is controlled so that the degree of supercooling (temperature difference between the condensation temperature sensor 33 and the refrigerant liquid temperature sensor 32) is constant, and an appropriate refrigerant according to the amount of evaporation (heat of evaporation) of the humidifying water. Hold the flow rate. Due to the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant again becomes a high-temperature gas refrigerant and is supplied to the humidifying heat exchanger 42, and the above-described humidifying action is repeated.
By providing such a second humidifying mechanism 43, the latent heat of vaporization in which the humidifying water evaporates in the humidifying dedicated heat exchanger 42 is supplied from the refrigerant side, the temperature of the humidifying water can be kept high, and the surface of the humidifying water surface can be maintained. Absolute humidity increases. Therefore, the absolute humidity difference with the heat exchange air becomes large, and the humidification amount for the heat exchange air increases.

Since humidification of the heat exchange air is performed in the refrigeration cycle, highly efficient heating is performed as compared with the heating action by a heater or the like. The circulation amount of the humidification water is set to be larger than the humidification amount (evaporation amount), and the humidification water is always allowed to flow down on the surfaces of the fins g and the heat exchange pipe h constituting the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42. During the humidification operation, the surface of the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 does not dry, and precipitation of impurities contained in the humidification water can be reliably prevented. Since humidification water is used in a circulating manner, water and heat can be saved.
FIG. 10 (A) is a diagram showing the operation timing of the regular drainage and the water supply / drainage valves 27 and 29 at the start of the heating operation and the humidification operation, and FIG. 10 (B) is when the humidification operation is stopped. It is a figure which shows the action | operation timing of drainage and washing | cleaning driving | operation, and water supply / drain valve 27,29 grade | etc.,.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the heating operation is started and the humidity detected by the air humidity sensor 30 is equal to or lower than the set humidity, the water supply valve 27 is opened and the circulation pump 23 is driven to perform the heating / humidifying operation. When the humidification operation continues for a certain time, the humidification operation is temporarily interrupted and drained. At this time, the water supply valve 27 is closed, the operation of the circulation pump 23 is stopped, the drain valve 29 is opened, and the humidifying water in the storage tank 18 is discharged.
After a predetermined time has elapsed, all the humidifying water is drained from the humidifying heat exchanger 42 and the storage tank 18, and then the drain valve 29 is closed. Then, the water supply valve 27 is opened to introduce humidifying water into the storage tank 18. The circulation pump 23 is driven in a state where a certain amount of humidifying water is stored in the storage tank 18.

The humidifying electromagnetic valve 45 is kept open during drainage as well as during humidification operation. Since the high-temperature gas refrigerant is always guided to the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 to perform the condensation action, the humidification operation can be resumed immediately.
If the humidification operation is continuously performed without draining, impurities contained in the humidification water are concentrated, and finally, the second humidification mechanism 43 may be clogged due to solidification. By performing the above drainage action every predetermined period, it is possible to prevent the impurities contained in the humidifying water from being concentrated, and to reliably prevent clogging in the second humidifying mechanism 43.

As shown in FIG. 10 (B), when the humidification operation is completely completed, drainage is performed thereafter, and further, the cleaning operation is performed for a predetermined time, and then drainage is performed again, leading to a total stop.
That is, during the humidifying operation, the water supply valve 27 is opened, the circulation pump 23 is driven, and the humidifying electromagnetic valve 45 is opened. During drainage premised on complete stoppage, the water supply valve 27 is closed, the circulation pump 23 is stopped, and the humidifying electromagnetic valve 45 is closed. Then, the drain valve 29 is opened for a predetermined time, and the humidifying water in the storage tank 18 and the humidifying exclusive heat exchanger 42 is discharged.
Next, a washing operation is performed. At this time, the humidifying electromagnetic valve 45 remains closed, the drain valve 29 is closed, the water supply valve 27 is opened, and humidification water is supplied to the storage tank 18. The driving of the circulation pump 23 is resumed at the timing when a certain amount of humidifying water is accumulated in the storage tank 18.

As the circulation pump 23 is driven, humidification water in the storage tank 18 is pumped up and sprinkled from the sprinkler 47 to the humidification-only heat exchanger 42. For this reason, the surface of the fin g and the heat exchange pipe h which comprise the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 is wash | cleaned with the water for humidification. Also during this time, the water supply valve 27 is opened to supply new humidifying water to the storage tank 18, and a sufficient amount of humidifying water to be sprayed from the sprinkling portion 47 to the humidifying exclusive heat exchanger 42 is ensured.
The fins g of the heat exchanger 42 exclusively for humidification and the surface of the heat exchange pipe h are completely cleaned with the water for humidification. After such a washing operation is continued for a predetermined time, the above-mentioned drainage is performed again, and then the entire operation is stopped.

Therefore, even if the fins g and the heat exchange pipe h of the humidification exclusive heat exchanger 42 are dried after the humidification operation is stopped, impurities are hardly deposited on the surfaces, and the second humidification mechanism by solidifying the impurities. 43 clogging is reduced.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage, and is disclosed in the above-described embodiment. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components.

The figure explaining the schematic structure of an air conditioning apparatus and piping system based on 1st Embodiment in this invention. The figure explaining the condition in the indoor unit at the time of humidification driving based on the embodiment. The front view and side view of a humidification element and a water spray pipe structure which concern on the same embodiment. The perspective view and side view explaining the watering structure with respect to the humidification element based on the modification of the embodiment. The disassembled perspective view and side view explaining the watering structure with respect to the humidification element based on the further different modification of the embodiment. The front view and side view explaining the watering structure with respect to the humidification element based on the further different modification of the embodiment. The figure explaining the schematic structure of an air conditioning apparatus and piping system based on 2nd Embodiment in this invention. The figure explaining the condition in the indoor unit at the time of humidification driving based on the embodiment. The perspective view explaining the structure of the heat exchanger only for humidification, a storage tank, and a watering part based on the embodiment. The figure explaining the regular drainage in the humidification operation | movement based on the embodiment, the drainage at the time of humidification operation stop, and the washing | cleaning operation.

Explanation of symbols

  Pc ... refrigerant gas pipe, Pb ... refrigerant liquid pipe, 11 ... indoor heat exchanger (first heat exchanger), 12 ... water heat exchanger (second heat exchanger), 10 ... unit main body, 13 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Blower, 14 ... 1st humidification mechanism (humidification means), 18 ... Storage tank (storage container), S ... (Heat exchange air) flow path, 19 ... Humidification element, 23 ... Circulation pump, 20 ... 1st Humidification water circulation circuit, 43 ... second humidification mechanism (humidification means), 42 ... humidification dedicated heat exchanger (second heat exchanger), 46 ... second humidification water circulation circuit.

Claims (3)

A unit main body comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, which are communicated with a refrigerant gas pipe and a refrigerant liquid pipe constituting a heat pump circuit and connected in parallel with each other;
A blower that guides room air to at least the first heat exchanger to exchange heat, blows air into the room after heat exchange;
An indoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising humidifying means for introducing humidifying water to the second heat exchanger and heating the humidified water to evaporate the heated humidifying water in the heat exchange air. . The humidifying means is
A storage container for storing humidifying water;
A humidifying element disposed in the upper part of the storage container and in the flow path of heat exchange air heat-exchanged by the first heat exchanger;
A circulation pump for pumping humidification water from the storage container is provided. The humidification water pumped by the circulation pump is led to the second heat exchanger and heated, and then sprinkled on the humidification element to evaporate and dropped from the humidification element. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a first humidification water circulation circuit that returns the humidification water to be returned to the storage container. The humidifying means is
A storage container provided below the second heat exchanger for storing humidifying water;
A circulation pump for pumping humidification water from the storage container is provided. The humidification water pumped up by the circulation pump is sprinkled on the second heat exchanger to evaporate, and the humidification water dropped from the second heat exchanger is added to the humidification water. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a second humidification water circulation circuit that returns to the storage container.

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