JP2007155258A - Drain treatment device for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drain treatment device for an air conditioner capable of improving the degree of freedom in design of drain piping without deteriorating energy consumption rate of the air conditioner, which is low in cost by enabling use of an inexpensive resin drain discharge pipe used in general. <P>SOLUTION: The drain treatment device is equipped with a drain storage tank 15 for storing drain condensed in a heat exchanger 2 of an indoor unit 1 during cooling operation, a drain inflow passage with a back flow preventing check valve device 16a interposed therebetween, a drain discharge passage 20 with a back flow preventing device 16c interposed therebetween, an air compressor 18, and a compressed air supply passage 19 for supplying compressed air with a back flow preventing device 16b interposed therebetween. The device operates by switching a drain inflow mode for allowing the drain to flow in with the inside of the drain water storage tank 15 at a normal pressure, and a drain discharge mode for pressure feeding the drain with the inside of the drain storage tank 15 pressurized by compressed air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drain water treatment device for an air conditioner that forcibly discharges drain water generated in an indoor unit during cooling operation.

  Conventionally, this type of air conditioner drain water treatment apparatus is configured to discharge the drain water generated in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit during cooling operation to the outside through a sloped drain pipe. Although it is general, there is a case where the drain pipe cannot be inclined due to the structure or installation conditions of the building and cannot be discharged due to natural fall. On the other hand, for the purpose of improving the design freedom of the drain piping, once drain water generated in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is guided to the drain tank, the drain water flowing into the drain tank is vaporized. The thing discharged | emitted outdoors is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In addition, a vacuum pump for drain water suction is provided in the outdoor unit, one end is opened in the drain pan of the indoor unit, the other end is connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump, and the drain pipe is arranged in almost the same path as the refrigerant pipe. Thus, there has been proposed a drain suction type air conditioner capable of completely discharging drain water accumulated in the drain pan bottom (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

FIG. 6 shows a drain water treatment device for a conventional air conditioner described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, drain water generated in the heat exchanger 2 provided in the indoor unit 1 during the cooling operation is accumulated in the drain pan 3 and flows into the drain water treatment tank 5 through the connection pipe 6. An electric heater 7 is provided in the drain water treatment tank 5, and the drain water vaporized by the heat generated by the electric heater 7 is sent to the steam discharge pipe 9, passes through the steam discharge pipe 9, and is discharged to the outside. It is configured.
JP 2001-201081 A JP-A-11-351603

  However, in the said conventional structure, the electric power required for vaporizing drain water was excessive, and had the subject of degrading the energy consumption efficiency of the whole air conditioner. In addition, in the drain suction type air conditioner, the drain discharge pipe has a negative pressure, and therefore, it is crushed by the inexpensive resin drain discharge pipe that is generally used. A high-strength dedicated drain discharge pipe is required, which has the problem of increasing costs.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, does not deteriorate the energy consumption efficiency of the entire air conditioner, and can be used at low cost so that a generally inexpensive resin drain discharge pipe can be used. However, it aims at providing the drain water treatment apparatus of the air conditioner which can improve the design freedom of drain piping.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a drain water storage tank that stores drain water condensed by a heat exchanger of an indoor unit during cooling operation, and the drain water storage. A drain water inflow path attached to the upper part of the tank and having a backflow prevention device interposed in the path; a drain water discharge path attached to the lower part of the drain water storage tank and having a backflow prevention device interposed in the path; and an air compressor; And a compressed air supply path for supplying compressed air with a backflow prevention device interposed above the drain water storage tank by the air compressor, and allowing the drain water to flow into the drain water storage tank at normal pressure. Operation is switched between a water inflow mode and a drain water discharge mode in which the drain water storage tank is pressurized with compressed air and pumps the drain water. One in which the.

  As a result, the drain water condensed in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit flows into the drain water storage tank in the drain water inflow mode, and via the drain water discharge path by the compressed air in the drain water discharge mode. Low-cost resin drain that is generally used because it can be discharged outdoors without remaining in the indoor unit and drain water storage tank, and only a small internal pressure is applied to the drain water discharge path. A drain water treatment device for an air conditioner that can use a discharge pipe and can improve the design flexibility of the drain pipe while being low-cost can be realized.

  The drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to the present invention switches between the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode by detection of a water level detection means provided in the drain water storage tank. As a result, since the drain water storage tank is detected to have reached a predetermined water level and the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode are switched, the air compressor can be reliably started and stopped. .

  Moreover, the drain water treatment apparatus of the air conditioner of the present invention is configured to switch between the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode at predetermined time intervals. As a result, switching between the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode can be performed with an inexpensive configuration.

  Moreover, the drain water treatment apparatus for an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a sub-drain water storage tank that temporarily stores drain water generated in the indoor unit during the drain water discharge mode in the drain water inflow path. As a result, the drain water storage tank is pressurized in the drain water discharge mode, and the drain water condensed by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is temporarily sub-drain water when the drain water cannot flow into the drain water storage tank. Since it can hold | maintain in a storage tank, even when sufficient drain water cannot be hold | maintained at the drain pan of an indoor unit, it becomes possible to perform drain water discharge mode, continuing cooling operation.

  The drain water treatment apparatus for an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a muffler at the outlet end of the drain water discharge path. As a result, it is possible to suppress noise generated when the drain water is ejected outdoors via the drain water discharge path in the drain water discharge mode.

  Moreover, the drain water treatment apparatus of the air conditioner of the present invention is a nozzle for spraying the outlet end of the drain water discharge path to the condenser of the outdoor unit. As a result, the latent heat of vaporization of the drain water can be recovered by the outdoor condenser, and the power required for driving the air compressor can be recovered as the refrigerant refrigeration effect, contributing to energy saving of the entire air conditioner. .

  In the drain water treatment apparatus for an air conditioner of the present invention, the drain water condensed by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit flows into the drain water storage tank in the drain water inflow mode, and the drain water is discharged by the compressed air in the drain water discharge mode. It can be discharged to the outdoors completely without remaining in the indoor unit and drain water storage tank via the route, and it is generally used at a low cost only by applying a slight internal pressure to the drain water discharge route. Since a resin drain discharge pipe can be used, the design freedom of the drain pipe can be improved while being low in cost.

1st invention is the drain water storage tank which stores the drain water condensed by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation, and the drain water which attached to the upper part of the said drain water storage tank, and interposed the backflow prevention apparatus in the path | route An inflow path, a drain water discharge path attached to the lower part of the drain water storage tank and having a backflow prevention apparatus interposed in the path, an air compressor, and a backflow prevention apparatus on the upper part of the drain water storage tank by the air compressor. A compressed air supply path for supplying compressed air interposed therebetween, a drain water inflow mode in which drain water flows in at a normal pressure in the drain water storage tank, and pressurization in the drain water storage tank with compressed air Since the operation is performed by switching the drain water discharge mode for pumping the drain water in the generated state, the drain water condensed by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit It flows into the drain water storage tank in the water inflow mode, and completely outside without remaining in the indoor unit and drain water storage tank via the drain water discharge path by compressed air in the drain water discharge mode. Since it can be discharged and only a small internal pressure is applied to the drain water discharge path, it is possible to use a generally inexpensive drain drain pipe made of resin. A drain water treatment device for an air conditioner capable of improving the degree of freedom in designing the piping can be realized.

  According to the second invention, in particular, the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode according to the first invention are switched by detection of the water level detecting means provided in the drain water storage tank. Since the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode can be switched by detecting that the inside has reached a predetermined water level, the air compressor can be reliably started and stopped.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, in particular, the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode of the first invention are switched every predetermined time, so that the switching between the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode is inexpensive. This can be done with a simple configuration.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, a drain water discharge mode is provided by providing a sub drain water storage tank that temporarily stores drain water generated in the indoor unit during the drain water discharge mode in the drain water inflow path of the first invention. When the inside of the drain water storage tank is pressurized and the drain water cannot flow into the drain water storage tank, the drain water condensed by the heat exchanger of the indoor unit can be temporarily held in the sub drain water storage tank. Therefore, even when sufficient drain water cannot be held in the drain pan of the indoor unit, the drain water discharge mode can be performed while continuing the cooling operation.

  The fifth aspect of the invention is particularly generated when drain water is ejected to the outside through the drain water discharge path in the drain water discharge mode by providing a muffler at the outlet end of the drain water discharge path of the first invention. Noise can be suppressed.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, the outlet end of the drain water discharge path of the first aspect of the invention is a nozzle for sprinkling water to the condenser of the outdoor unit, so that the latent heat of evaporation of the drain water is recovered by the outdoor condenser. The power required for driving the air compressor can be recovered as the refrigerant refrigeration effect and contribute to energy saving of the entire air conditioner.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a drain water treatment apparatus for an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the indoor unit 1 includes a heat exchanger 2, a drain pan 3, and a fan 4 inside, and the heat exchanger 2 is cooled during cooling operation, and cool air is supplied to the indoor space by the fan 4. The drain water storage tank 15 has a drain water inflow path 17 communicating with the indoor unit 1 at the upper part, so that drain water can only flow from the indoor unit 1 toward the drain water storage tank 15 in the drain water inflow path 17. Is provided with a backflow prevention device 16a. The drain water storage tank 15 has a compressed air supply path 19 communicating with the air compressor 18. The compressed air flows only from the air compressor 18 toward the drain water storage tank 15 in the compressed air supply path 19. As shown, a backflow prevention device 16b is provided. In addition, the drain water storage tank 15 has a drain water discharge path 20 that communicates with the outdoor or drain port for discharging drain water at the lower part of the drain water storage tank 15, and drain water from the drain water storage tank 15 to the outdoors or the drain port only. Is provided with a backflow prevention device 16c. Further, the drain water storage tank 15 is provided with a water level detection means 21.

  About the drain water treatment apparatus of the air conditioner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. As shown in FIG. 1, the drain water condensed in the heat exchanger 2 inside the indoor unit 1 is continuously accumulated in the drain pan 3 during the cooling operation. On the other hand, in the state where the air compressor 18 is stopped, the inside of the drain water storage tank 15 becomes normal pressure, so that the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 3 flows into the drain water storage tank 15 via the drain water inflow path 17 ( Drain water inflow mode). When the water level gradually rises in the drain water inflow mode, the water level detection means 21 is turned on, and the air compressor 18 starts operation in conjunction with it. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the compressed air flows into the drain water storage tank 15 through the compressed air supply path 19, and the backflow preventing device 16a prevents the compressed air from flowing back into the indoor unit 1. Therefore, the atmospheric pressure in the drain water storage tank 15 rises above a predetermined pressure. In the drain water storage tank 15, the atmospheric pressure in the sealed container rises, so that the drain water accumulated in the lower part is discharged to the outside or the drain through the drain water discharge path 20 (drain water discharge mode). ).

  As a result, even if there is a rising portion in the middle of the drain water discharge path 20, the height corresponding to the water head pressure due to the atmospheric pressure in the drain water storage tank 15 can be exceeded, and the drain water in the drain water discharge path 20. It can be completely discharged without leaving. After a predetermined time has elapsed in the drain water discharge mode, the air compressor 18 is stopped to return to the drain water inflow mode, and the above operation is repeated to completely remove the drain water generated in the indoor unit 1 during the cooling operation. Or can be discharged to a drain outlet.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the drain water generated during the cooling operation can be completely discharged outdoors without remaining in the indoor unit 1 and the drain water storage tank 15, and the drain water discharge path. It is possible to use a low-cost resin drain discharge pipe that is generally used because only a small internal pressure is applied to the pipe, and it is possible to improve the design flexibility of the drain pipe at a low cost. It is possible to realize a drain water treatment apparatus for a simple air conditioner.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the water level detection means 21 shown in FIG. 1 is used to switch from the drain water inflow mode to the drain water discharge mode, but the drain water in the drain water storage tank 15 has a predetermined water level. An inexpensive configuration in which the water level detection means 21 is omitted by presetting the time until reaching the water level and switching to the drain water discharge mode when the time has elapsed from the start of the drain water inflow mode. The same operation can be realized.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, by providing the drain water inflow path 17 with the sub drain water storage tank 22 which temporarily stores the drain water which generate | occur | produces in the indoor unit 1 during drain water discharge mode, When the atmospheric pressure in the drain water storage tank 15 rises in the drain water discharge mode and the drain water cannot flow into the drain water storage tank 15, the drain water condensed in the heat exchanger 2 of the indoor unit 1 is temporarily Since it can hold | maintain in the sub drain water storage tank 22, even when it cannot hold | maintain sufficient drain water to the drain pan 2 of the indoor unit 1, drain water discharge mode can be performed, continuing cooling operation.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, by providing the muffler muffler 23 at the exit end of the drain water discharge path 20, the drain water is ejected to the outside through the drain water discharge path 20 in the drain water discharge mode. It is possible to suppress noise generated when

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, the indoor unit 1 and the drain water inflow path 17 are the same as those in the first embodiment of the present invention. The drain water treatment device 30 includes therein a drain water storage tank, an air compressor, a compressed air supply path, and a backflow prevention device, and performs the same operation as that of the first embodiment of the present invention. The outdoor unit 31 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 32 and a compressor (not shown) inside, and is connected to the indoor unit 1 and a refrigerant pipe to form an air conditioner. A water spray nozzle 33 is connected to the outlet end of the drain water discharge path 20 so as to be positioned above the outdoor heat exchanger 32, and the drain water flowing through the drain water discharge path 20 in the drain water discharge mode is discharged to the outdoor. It is comprised so that it may spread on the heat exchanger 32.

  About the drain water treatment apparatus of the air conditioner comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. During the cooling operation, the air conditioner cools the air by removing heat from the air by evaporating the refrigerant in the heat exchanger inside the indoor unit, while the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 32 and radiated to the air. The drain water flowing through the drain water discharge path 20 in the drain water discharge mode is sprinkled on the outdoor heat exchanger 32 acting as a condenser, and the heat radiation effect of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 32 is obtained by the latent heat of water evaporation. By increasing the cooling performance, the cooling performance can be improved. As a result, the power required for driving the air compressor can be recovered as the refrigeration effect of the refrigerant and contribute to energy saving of the entire air conditioner.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the overall air conditioner is maintained while maintaining the feature of improving the design flexibility of the drain pipe while being low cost as shown in the first embodiment of the present invention. An air conditioner drain water treatment apparatus that can contribute to energy saving can be realized.

  As described above, the drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to the present invention can eliminate the drain water remaining in the air conditioner, thereby suppressing the occurrence of mold and slime in the air conditioner. It can be applied to a mechanism for discharging liquid in equipment that needs to be considered hygiene.

1 is a configuration diagram of a drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram of the drain water treatment apparatus of the air conditioner in Embodiment 2 of this invention Configuration diagram of a conventional drain water treatment device for an air conditioner

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit 2 Heat exchanger 3 Drain pan 4 Fan 15 Drain water storage tank 16a, b, c Backflow prevention device 17 Drain water inflow path 18 Air compressor 19 Compressed air supply path 20 Drain water discharge path 21 Water level detection means 22 Sub drain water Storage tank 23 Silencer muffler 30 Drain water treatment device 31 Outdoor unit 32 Outdoor heat exchanger 33 Sprinkling nozzle

Claims (6)

A drain water storage tank for storing drain water condensed by a heat exchanger of the indoor unit during cooling operation; a drain water inflow path attached to the upper part of the drain water storage tank with a backflow prevention device interposed in the path; and the drain A drain water discharge path attached to the lower part of the water storage tank and having a backflow prevention device interposed in the path, an air compressor, and air compressed by the air compressor via the backflow prevention device above the drain water storage tank A drain water inflow mode in which drain water flows in at a normal pressure in the drain water storage tank, and drain water in a state in which the drain water storage tank is pressurized by compressed air. A drain water treatment device for an air conditioner that is operated by switching a drain water discharge mode for pumping the air. The drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode are switched by detection of a water level detection means provided in the drain water storage tank. The drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the drain water inflow mode and the drain water discharge mode are switched every predetermined time. The drain water treatment device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-drain water storage tank that temporarily stores drain water generated in the indoor unit during the drain water discharge mode in the drain water inflow path. The drain water treatment apparatus for an air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a muffler at the outlet end of the drain water discharge path. The drain water treatment apparatus for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the outlet end of the drain water discharge path is a nozzle for sprinkling water to the condenser of the outdoor unit.