JP2007021458A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized air conditioner provided with a structure that enables air to efficiently pass through a filter unit. <P>SOLUTION: In a recess 118 of a main casing 110, a main air flow passage space A1 for allowing air that has passed through a filter unit 151 to flow toward a fan is defined between the bottom face 118a of the recess 118 and a partition wall 120. External sidewalls 119 and 119 are provided, respectively, on both sidewalls 118b and 118b of the recess 118. A preliminary air flow passage space A2 for allowing air that has passed through the filter unit 151 to flow is in communication with the main air flow passage space A1 and is defined to extend longitudinally between the external sidewalls 119 and 119 and the sidewalls 118b and 118b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner having an air purifying function for purifying indoor air.

  An air conditioner is known as a device for controlling the temperature, humidity, or pollution level of indoor air. In these air conditioners, indoor air is taken into the apparatus, and the physical properties of the taken-in air are changed into air in a desired state, and then blown out of the apparatus. In particular, with the recent changes in the living environment, an air conditioner having an air purifying function that improves the degree of indoor air pollution has attracted attention.

  Conventionally, air purifiers with a dust collection function and a deodorizing function have been widely used, but in addition to these functions, air purifiers that have a function to sterilize or disinfect airborne bacteria harmful to the human body. In recent years it is becoming popular. Here, “antibacterial” refers to inhibiting the growth of bacteria attached to the fibrous filter. “Sterilization” refers to killing microorganisms and reducing the absolute number.

  In such an air cleaner, the dust collection function, the deodorizing function, and the antibacterial function are exhibited by various filters installed in the ventilation path. An air cleaner generally includes a dust collection filter having a dust collection function and a deodorization filter having a deodorization function as various filters. The dust collection filter collects dust in the air. The deodorizing filter collects and decomposes odorous components in the air. The antibacterial filter sterilizes or sanitizes airborne bacteria harmful to the human body.

  In such an air cleaner, the dust collecting function, the deodorizing function, and the antibacterial function are exhibited by the filter unit from various filters installed in the ventilation path. In general, an air cleaner includes a dust collection filter having a dust collection function, a deodorization filter having a deodorization function, and the like as a filter unit.

  Examples of the air cleaner that discloses such a filter unit include structures disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-121111 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-161482 (Patent Document 2).

In recent years, downsizing of air purifiers and other air conditioning devices has been desired. However, it is necessary to maintain at least the air cleaning function. In order to maintain the air cleaning function, it is effective to allow air to pass through the entire surface of the filter unit. However, when the air conditioning device is downsized, there is a concern that air cannot be efficiently passed through a filter located in a region away from the fan. In this case, by providing a sufficient space between the filter unit and the fan, air can be efficiently passed through the filter, but the air conditioning device cannot be downsized.
JP 2000-121111 A JP 2003-161482 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that when the air conditioner is downsized, air cannot be efficiently passed through the filter unit. Therefore, in the air conditioner based on this invention, when an air conditioner is reduced in size, it is providing the air conditioner provided with the structure which can let air pass through a filter unit efficiently.

  In the air conditioner based on this invention, it is an air conditioner provided with the filter unit accommodated in the front side of a main body casing, and the fan arrange | positioned at the rear surface side of the said main body casing, Comprising: The back surface of the said filter unit A main air flow path space defined on the side of the fan and the front side of the fan, and a preliminary air flow path space defined on the side of the filter unit in communication with the main air flow path space.

  According to the air conditioner based on this invention, since the main air flow passage space and the spare air flow passage spaces are provided on both sides, the air can be drawn from the entire back side of the filter unit. Air can be passed through the entire surface of the filter unit. As a result, it is possible to meet the demand for downsizing the air conditioner in the width direction.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments based on the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a stationary air cleaner having an air cleaning function will be described as an example of an air conditioning device.

  With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, the external structure of the air cleaner in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the air cleaner according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view seen from the back side. FIG. 3 is a top view of the air cleaner in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembly structure of the front panel, filter pressing frame, and filter unit of the air cleaner according to the present embodiment. 5A is a front view of the filter pressing frame, FIG. 5B is a side view of the filter pressing frame, and FIG. 5C is a top view of the filter pressing frame. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a state in which the filter unit is attached to the main casing with the filter pressing frame. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the air cleaner in the present embodiment with the front panel, the filter pressing frame, and the filter unit removed from the main body casing. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the air cleaner according to the present embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the air cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a main body casing 110 and a front panel 140. The main body casing 110 is a box-shaped body having a vertically long front opening, in which main parts of the air purifier 100 are housed. A leg portion 112 is provided at the lower portion of the main body casing 110. This leg part 112 is a site | part for mounting the air cleaner 100 on a floor surface etc. in an upright state. Further, an upper panel portion 116 is provided on the upper surface of the main body casing 110, and various operation buttons, display lamps, and the like are disposed on the upper panel portion 116. The main body casing 110 is configured by combining a plurality of members as necessary.

  A handle portion 114 is provided on the back surface of the main casing 110. This handle portion 114 is provided in consideration of convenience when the air cleaner 100 is lifted and transported. A power cord 190 is drawn from the back surface of the main casing 110.

  The front panel 140 has a side portion 141 provided to stand rearward from the main surface thereof, and is detachable from the main body casing 110 so as to cover a part of the front surface and the side surface of the main body casing 110. It is attached. The front panel 140 is attached as a sound insulation member to prevent noise generated by a sirocco fan or a motor, which will be described later, from leaking out of the apparatus during operation of the apparatus. It is also to ensure the beauty of the.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a gap is provided between the side surface of the main body casing 110 and the side portion 141 of the front panel 140. This gap constitutes a suction port 124. The inlet 124 is an opening for introducing air outside the apparatus into the apparatus. Further, a dust sensor 136 is provided in a portion of the side surface of the main body casing 110 adjacent to the suction port 124. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, air outlets 126 </ b> A and 126 </ b> B are provided in the upper portion of the main body casing 110. The air outlets 126A and 126B are openings for leading the air cleaned inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus.

  As described above, various operation buttons, display lamps, and the like are disposed on the upper panel 116 of the main body casing 110. In the air cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a power button 160 that switches on / off operation of the air cleaner 100 and an ion generator that switches an operating state of an ion generator described later. Switching button 161, an operation mode switching button 162 for switching the operation mode of the air purifier 100, a shortcut button 163 for shifting from a power-off state to a specific operation by a one-touch operation, and the like. Further, on the upper panel 116, an operation state display lamp 171 of the ion generator indicating the operation state of the ion generator and an operation mode display lamp 172 for displaying the operation mode of the air purifier 100 are adjacent to these buttons. In addition, a shortcut operation presence / absence display lamp 173 indicating whether or not the operation of the shortcut button is being performed is provided.

  Furthermore, in the air cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment, the air cleaner 100 is integrated with the air outlet 126B protruding from the upper surface of the air cleaner 100 so that the air cleaner 100 can be easily seen from the front. A dirt state display unit 174 and an operation state display unit 175 of the ion generator are provided. The contamination state display unit 174 is a display unit that visually indicates the degree of indoor air contamination to the user by modulating the color, brightness, and the like of the light emitting diode 174a that is a light source disposed below the contamination state display unit 174. In addition, this dirt state display part 174 is comprised so that the display may be switched according to the contamination degree of the air detected by the above-mentioned dust sensor 136 and the odor sensor 138 (refer FIG. 7) mentioned later. On the other hand, the operating state display unit 175 of the ion generator is a display unit that visually indicates the operating state of the ion generating device to the user by modulating the color, brightness, and the like of the light emitting diode 175a disposed below the ion generating device. It is. The operation state display unit 175 of the ion generation device is a display unit that performs the same function as the operation state display lamp 171 of the ion generation device described above.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the filter unit 151 is accommodated in the recess 118 provided on the front surface side of the main body casing 110. Various configurations are conceivable as the configuration of the filter unit 151. In the air cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment, the deodorizing filter 152, the organic matter removing filter 153, and the antibacterial / dust collecting filter are sequentially arranged from the front side. Three filters are stacked in the order of 154. The deodorizing filter 152, the organic matter removing filter 153, and the antibacterial / dust collecting filter 154 are held in the concave portion 118 of the main casing 110 by fixing the filter pressing frame 150 arranged in front of the deodorizing filter 152, the antibacterial / dust collecting filter 154 to the front surface of the main casing 110. Will be.

  In the present embodiment, the filter unit 151 includes three filters stacked, but is not particularly limited to this configuration. The filter unit 151 only needs to include one or more filters. For example, the filter unit 151 may include only the deodorizing filter 152.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the filter holding frame 150 includes a frame body 150a, a notch 150b, a hooking portion 150c, and an insertion portion 150d. The front shape of the frame 150a is a quadrangle, and includes members that respectively connect opposing sides at several locations so as to have a square hollow inside. In the present embodiment, the frame body 150a includes a hollow frame that forms four rows and four columns of hollows. Air can be sucked into the hollow. The cut portions 150b are provided in the deodorizing filter 152 at a total of four locations, two locations near both corners of the upper edge on the outer periphery of the frame 150a, and two locations near the corner on the side connected to the upper edge. Further, the filter mounting band 152A has a notch depth enough to stay.

  The hook 150c is connected to the upper edge of the frame 150a at two locations, and has a shape that can be hooked when the filter unit 151 is fixed to the front surface of the main casing 110. The insertion portion 150 d is connected to the lower end side of the frame 150 a at two locations, and has a shape that can be inserted when the filter unit 151 is fixed to the front surface of the main body casing 110.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in order to fix the filter unit 151 to the main body casing 110, first, each filter provided in the deodorizing filter 152 is provided in each notch 150 b provided in the filter holding frame 150. Fit the attachment band 152A. Thereby, the deodorizing filter 152 is fixed to the filter holding frame 150. Next, the filter holding frame 150 and the filter unit 151 are disposed on the front surface of the main body casing 110. Next, the hooking portion 150c and the insertion portion 150d are fitted into predetermined positions of the main body casing 110, respectively. Thereby, the filter unit 151 can be fixed to the front surface of the main body casing 110 by the filter holding frame 150.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a communication wall 121 is provided in the partition wall 120 provided behind the recess 118 of the main body casing 110, and a metal guard 122 is attached to the front surface of the communication hole 121. The partition wall 120 partitions the internal space of the main body casing 110 into a front space S1 (see FIG. 8) and a rear space S2 (see FIG. 8). The metal guard 122 is used by an operator during maintenance work or the like. This is a guard member for preventing a finger from being inserted into the operating fan. An odor sensor 138 is provided at a predetermined position on the front surface of the main body casing 110.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the recess 118 of the main body casing 110 that holds the filter unit 151 is defined by a bottom surface 118a facing the partition wall 120 and side walls 118b and 118b provided on both side surfaces, respectively. The depth h1 is set to be approximately the same as the thickness of the filter unit 151. Further, the distance h2 from the bottom surface 118a of the recess 118 to the partition wall 120 is smaller than the depth h1 of the recess 118 of the main casing 110 from the viewpoint of reducing the size of the air cleaner 100 in the present embodiment in the thickness direction. It is provided so that it may become a size. In addition, a main air flow path space A1 for allowing the air that has passed through the filter unit 151 to flow toward the fan is defined between the bottom surface 118a of the recess 118 and the partition wall 120.

  Furthermore, in air cleaner 100 according to the present embodiment, external side walls 119 and 119 are provided on both side surfaces of side walls 118b and 118b of recess 118 of main body casing 110, respectively, and external side walls 119 and 119 and side walls 118b are provided. , 118b, a preliminary air flow path space A2 for flowing air that has passed through the filter unit 151 is defined so as to extend in the vertical direction. By providing this auxiliary air flow path space A2 so as to communicate with the side of the main air flow path space A1, the substantial space of the main air flow path space A1 is expanded, and the main air flow path space A1 and the auxiliary air flow path space The flow path width (W2) defined by the air flow path space A2 is formed to be larger than the width (W1) of the recess 118 that houses the filter unit 151.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, the internal structure of the air cleaner 100 and the air flow inside the apparatus main body in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the member constituting the front portion of the main body casing is removed in the air cleaner in the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a diagram in the air cleaner in the present embodiment. It is a partially broken rear view which shows the state which removed the member which comprises the back surface part of a main body casing.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a partition wall 120 is located inside the air cleaner 100 described above. In front of the partition wall 120, a filter unit 151 including three parts, a deodorizing filter 152, an organic matter removing filter 153, and an antibacterial / dust collecting filter 154, is disposed, and a front panel 140 is disposed in front of the filter unit 151. ing. The filter unit 151 divides the front space S1 positioned between the front panel 140 and the partition wall 120 into two in the front-rear direction, and these spaces serve as air flow paths. As shown in FIG. 9, the front space S <b> 1 communicates with the outside of the apparatus via a suction port 124 on the side of the main body casing 110.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a sirocco fan 130 is disposed behind the partition wall 120 as a blower fan. The sirocco fan 130 is rotationally driven by a motor 132 disposed behind the sirocco fan 130. The communication hole 121 provided in the partition wall 120 is provided so as to face the suction surface of the sirocco fan 130.

  The rear space S2 of the main casing 110 communicates with the air outlets 126A and 126B provided in the upper portion of the main casing 110. Louvers 126a and 126b are provided in the air outlets 126A and 126B, respectively. The louvers 126a and 126b are for adjusting the direction of the air blown out from the air outlets 126A and 126B.

  A flow path forming member 123 is disposed in the rear space S2 of the main body casing 110. The flow path forming member 123 is for guiding the air flow introduced into the rear space S2 by the sirocco fan 130 to the air outlets 126A and 126B, and the air flow path in the rear space S2 by the partition wall 120. It is a member which forms. The flow path forming member 123 is formed in a shape that surrounds the sirocco fan 130 in the lower part and guides the air blown out of the sirocco fan 130 in the upper part to the outlets 126A and 126B.

  At a predetermined position of the partition wall 120 facing the rear space S2, an ion generator 134 that releases at least one of positive ions and negative ions to the air passing through the rear space S2 is provided. In the ion generator 134, oxygen or moisture in the air is ionized by applying an alternating voltage between electrodes provided in the ion generating element. Then, by arranging the ion emission surface of the ion generator 134 so as to face the air flow path, the generated ions are put on the air flow and discharged to the outside of the device.

  In the air cleaner 100 having the above-described configuration, the sirocco fan 130 is rotationally driven by the motor 132, whereby negative pressure is generated in the front space S <b> 1 of the main body casing 110, and the suction port located on the side of the main body casing 110. Indoor air is taken into the front space S1 via 124 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). When the taken-in air passes through the filter unit 151, a deodorizing process, a carbon monoxide removing process, a formaldehyde adsorption process, a dust collecting process, and a bactericidal process are sequentially performed, and a communication hole provided in the partition wall 120 It passes through 121 and is introduced into the rear space S2.

  In addition, when passing through this filter unit 151, it also plays a role of a pre-filter that collects a large amount of dust from the air sucked by the sirocco fan 130.

  The air flowing into the rear space S2 is blown out from the peripheral surface portion of the sirocco fan 130 to the outside. The air blown out from the sirocco fan 130 is guided to the flow path forming member 123 and rises in the rear space S2, and positive ions or / and negative ions having a predetermined concentration are added by the ion generator 134, so that the air outlet 126A, The air is blown into the room from 126B (see FIGS. 10 and 12). 10 to 12, the air flow is indicated by arrows.

  Moreover, in the air cleaner 100 in this Embodiment, in the front space S1 of the main body casing 110, the main air flow path space A1 and the preliminary air flow path space A2 that communicates with the main air flow path space A1 on both sides. Therefore, when the sirocco fan 130 is driven, the main air flow passage space A1 and the preliminary air flow passage space A2 are all in a negative pressure state. As a result, the entire back side of the filter unit 151 is exposed to negative pressure. As a result, air is drawn from the entire back side of the filter unit 151 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 10 (particularly, the arrow indicated by Y1 passing through the preliminary air flow passage space A2). Can be passed. As a result, even when the air cleaner 100 is required to be downsized in the width direction, the air flow over the entire surface of the filter unit 151 is obtained by using the extra space on the side of the filter unit 151 as the auxiliary air flow path space A2. In addition, the air cleaner 100 can be downsized in the width direction.

  Further, by providing the preliminary air flow path space A2 on the side of the filter unit 151, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to secure the air flow over the entire back side of the filter unit 151. The distance h2 up to 120 can be reduced, and the air purifier 100 can be downsized in the thickness (depth) direction. In the present embodiment, the distance h2 can be realized with a dimension smaller than the depth h1 of the recess 118 of the main body casing 110.

  As described above, according to the air cleaner 100 in the present embodiment, the sirocco fan 130 and the filter unit 151 are provided, and the filter unit 151 is provided with a filter including a catalyst for removing carbon monoxide. For this reason, the catalyst for removing carbon monoxide promotes the reaction of carbon monoxide in the air to carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon monoxide in the air can be removed.

  In addition, the catalyst for removing carbon monoxide in the present embodiment can remove carbon monoxide at a low temperature. This eliminates the need for a space for installing a device that raises the temperature of the air, thereby reducing the size of the air conditioning device having a function of removing carbon monoxide.

  In addition, the filter unit 151 can be thinned by including the catalyst for removing carbon monoxide in the present embodiment. Therefore, the filter unit 151 can further include one organic matter removal filter 153 that removes organic matter having an aldehyde group. Therefore, organic substances having an aldehyde group such as formaldehyde can be effectively removed.

  Further, the organic matter removing filter 153 is disposed on the leeward side of the deodorizing filter 152. The deodorizing filter 152 also serves as a pre-filter that collects a large amount of dust from the air. Therefore, the organic matter removal filter 153 can remove the organic matter more effectively.

  Furthermore, a cut portion 150 b is provided in a part of the filter pressing frame 150. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the filter attachment band 152A of the deodorizing filter 152 from being detached or the deodorizing filter 152 from dropping during impact or handling. Therefore, the convenience of the air cleaner 100 can be further improved.

  Furthermore, as described above, in the front space S1 of the main body casing 110, the main air flow path space A1 and the auxiliary air flow path space A2 are provided on both sides, so from the entire back side of the filter unit 151, By pulling out the air, it is possible to allow air to pass through the entire surface of the filter unit 151, and to meet the demand for downsizing in the width direction of the air purifier 100. It is also possible to realize downsizing in the depth (depth) direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the stationary air cleaner is exemplified as the air conditioner. However, the application target of the present invention is not limited to this. The air conditioning apparatus in the present invention refers to all apparatuses that introduce air from outside the apparatus into the apparatus, perform some processing on the introduced air, and send the air to the outside of the apparatus. Therefore, in addition to the stationary air purifier described above, the air conditioning device is a wall-mounted air purifier, a built-in type air purifier, an in-vehicle air purifier, and an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, A humidifier, an electric heater, an oil heater, an oil fan heater, a gas heater, a refrigerator, a cooler box, an air conditioning duct for buildings, an air conditioning duct for vehicles, and the like are included.

  Thus, the present embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is the schematic perspective view which looked at the air cleaner in embodiment based on this invention from the front side. It is the schematic perspective view which looked at the air cleaner in embodiment based on this invention from the back side. It is a top view of the air cleaner in embodiment based on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the assembly | attachment structure of the front panel of the air cleaner in embodiment based on this invention, a filter holding frame, and a filter unit. (A) is a front view of a filter pressing frame, (B) is a side view of the filter pressing frame, and (C) is a top view of the filter pressing frame. It is a schematic front view of the state which attached the filter unit to the main body casing with the filter holding frame. In the air cleaner in embodiment based on this invention, it is a schematic perspective view of the state which removed the front panel, the filter holding frame, and the filter unit from the casing. It is a schematic cross section along the VIII-VIII line shown in Drawing 1 of an air cleaner in an embodiment based on the present invention. It is a schematic cross section along the IX-IX line shown in Drawing 1 of an air cleaner in an embodiment based on the present invention. In the air cleaner in embodiment based on this invention, it is a front view which shows the state which removed the member which comprises the front-surface part of a main body casing. In the air cleaner in embodiment based on this invention, it is a partially broken rear view which shows the state which removed the member which comprises the back surface part of a main body casing.

Explanation of symbols

  100, 200, 300 Air cleaner, 110 Main body casing, 112 Leg part, 114 Handle part, 116 Top panel part, 118 Recessed part, 118a Bottom face, 118b Side wall, 119 External side wall, 120 Partition wall, 121 Communication hole, 122 Metal guard , 123 flow path forming member, 124 suction port, 126A, 126B air outlet, 126a, 126b louver, 130 sirocco fan, 132 motor, 134 ion generator, 136 dust sensor, 138 odor sensor, 140 front panel, 141 side, 150 Filter holding frame, 150a frame body, 150b cutting part, 150c hooking part, 150d insertion part, 151,251,351 filter unit, 152,252,256,352 Deodorizing filter, 152A filter mounting band, 153 53 Organic substance removal filter, 154,354 Antibacterial / dust collection filter, 160 Power button, 161 Ion generator switching button, 162 Operation mode switching button, 163 Shortcut button, 171 Ion generator operating status display lamp, 172 Operation mode Indicator lamp, 173 Short cut operation presence / absence indicator lamp, 174 Dirt state display section, 174a Light emitting diode, 175 Ion generator operating state display section, 175a Light emitting diode, 190 Power cord, 252a Catalyst, 252b Deodorant, 252c Bag body, 252d Spacer, 252e Another frame material, 255 catalyst filter, A1 main air flow passage space, A2 preliminary air flow passage space, S1 front space, S2 rear space.

Claims (4)

An air conditioner comprising a filter unit housed on the front side of the main casing and a fan disposed on the rear side of the main casing,
A main air flow passage space defined on the back side of the filter unit and the front side of the fan;
An air conditioning apparatus comprising: a preliminary air flow passage space that communicates with the main air flow passage space and is defined on a side surface side of the filter unit. The main body casing is
On the front side of the fan, a recess that houses the filter unit so as to define the main air flow path space;
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising an external side wall that is provided on each side of the concave portion and that defines the preliminary air flow path space between the side wall and the side wall that defines the concave portion.   The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein a width of the concave portion is provided smaller than a width between the outer side walls disposed on both sides. The main body casing is
A partition wall that partitions a front space in which the filter unit is disposed and a rear space in which the fan is disposed;
The air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a distance from a bottom surface of the concave portion to the partition wall is smaller than a depth dimension of the concave portion accommodating the filter unit.

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