JP2008095996A - Drainage device of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drainage device of an air conditioner, preventing clogging of a drain hose. <P>SOLUTION: This drainage device of the air conditioner includes: an indoor unit incorporated with an evaporator for performing heat exchange; and the drain hose for naturally discharging drainage generated by the evaporator's heat exchange from the indoor unit to the outside of a room. The device further includes: a water storage tank for storing drainage dropping from a discharge port of the indoor unit; and a bed having a journal body for journaling the side surface of the water storage tank so that the water storage tank rotates according to the quantity of drainage stored. In the case where the quantity of drainage stored in the water storage tank does not exceed a predetermined position above the journal position of the journal body, the water storage tank does not rotate, and in the case where the quantity of drainage stored in the water storage tank exceeds the predetermined position above the journal position of the journal body, the water storage tank rotates to supply drainage in the water storage tank to the drain hose. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drainage device for an air conditioner.

  An air conditioner is composed of, for example, an indoor unit installed indoors and an outdoor unit installed outdoor, and a refrigerant (for example, chlorofluorocarbon) circulates between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit based on the indoor unit. It is a machine that adjusts the temperature (hereinafter referred to as room temperature). An air conditioner may perform heating and cooling, but since drainage is essential only during cooling, the case of cooling will be described. Accordingly, the function of the heat exchanger that evaporates and condenses the liquid refrigerant in the outdoor unit is limited to only the condensation, and is described as a condenser.

  When cooling is performed, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the ambient air is performed in the indoor unit, the refrigerant takes heat of the indoor air, and this heat is radiated by the outdoor unit. This lowers the room temperature. At this time, as the room temperature decreases, the amount of saturated water vapor in the room air decreases, so water vapor that cannot be retained in the air is generated in the indoor unit as water (drain water: hereinafter referred to as drainage). To do. Therefore, the indoor unit of the air conditioner is provided with a drainage hose for discharging the generated wastewater to the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Hereinafter, the case where air conditioning is performed with reference to FIG. 10 will be described.

  The air conditioner shown in FIG. 10 is mainly configured by an indoor unit 100 containing an evaporator 102, an outdoor unit 200 containing a compressor 202 and a condenser 204, refrigerant pipes 300, 302, 304, and a drain hose 310. .

  The compressor 202 compresses the gaseous refrigerant. As a compression method of the compressor 202 used in the air conditioner, for example, a rotary type or a scroll type is known.

  The condenser 204 cools the refrigerant (gas) compressed by the compressor 202 by, for example, a fan (not shown). As a result, the heat of the refrigerant is released and the refrigerant is liquefied.

  The evaporator 102 vaporizes the liquid refrigerant by heat exchange.

  The refrigerant pipes 300, 302, and 304 are provided for circulating the refrigerant through the compressor 202, the condenser 204, and the evaporator 206. The refrigerant pipe 302 is disposed between the evaporator 102 and the compressor 202 through a wall hole 400 that penetrates the wall of the house. The refrigerant pipe 304 is disposed between the compressor 202 and the condenser 204. The refrigerant pipe 300 is disposed between the condenser 204 and the evaporator 102 through the wall hole 400.

  The drain hose 310 is provided so that the waste water generated in the indoor unit 100 is naturally discharged from the discharge port of the indoor unit 100 to the outside through the wall hole 400.

  The operation in the case of cooling with the air conditioner having the above configuration will be described.

  First, when the gaseous refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 202, the temperature of the refrigerant rises rapidly. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is sent to the condenser 204 through the refrigerant pipe 304. In the condenser 204, the refrigerant is cooled and liquefied by, for example, a fan, and further reduced in pressure, whereby the temperature of the refrigerant is reduced at a stroke.

  Then, the refrigerant in the liquid state is sent to the evaporator 102 of the indoor unit 100 through the refrigerant pipe 300, and in the evaporator 102, heat exchange with the surrounding air is performed to evaporate into a gas. At this time, since the air around the evaporator 102 is deprived of heat (heat of vaporization) by the refrigerant, the temperature decreases. This air is blown indoors by a fan (not shown) of the indoor unit 100. This lowers the room temperature. The refrigerant that has become gas passes through the refrigerant pipe 302 and is sent to the compressor 202 of the outdoor unit 200. Thereafter, the refrigerant is circulated in the same cycle.

  Further, due to the heat exchange of the evaporator 102, waste water is generated in the indoor unit 100 as described above. Drainage generated in the indoor unit 100 is naturally discharged out of the room through the discharge hose 310 by its own weight.

  In recent years, the use of inverters for controlling the operation of air conditioners has increased.

  Inverter control is to adjust the output of the air conditioner by controlling the drive of the compressor 202. In the case of an air conditioner that is not controlled by an inverter, the operation is stopped when the room temperature falls below the set temperature, and the operation is repeated when the room temperature becomes higher than the set temperature. On the other hand, in the case of an inverter-controlled air conditioner, after the room temperature is lowered by high output operation until the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the low output operation is performed near the set temperature. Specifically, when the room temperature falls below the set temperature, the number of compressions of the refrigerant in the compressor 202 is decreased, and when the room temperature becomes higher than the set temperature, the control of increasing the number of compressions of the refrigerant in the compressor 202 is repeated. Thus, the amount of refrigerant circulating through the compressor 202, the condenser 204, and the evaporator 102 is controlled, and the room temperature is adjusted.

Therefore, the inverter-controlled air conditioner can reduce room temperature fluctuations compared to an air conditioner that is not inverter-controlled, and the compressor output can be suppressed, so the efficiency of the condenser is increased. The power consumption required to maintain the room temperature can be reduced.
JP 2001-147026 A

However, in the inverter-controlled air conditioner, after the room temperature is stabilized near the set temperature, continuous operation with low output is performed, and during this time, condensation due to heat exchange does not easily occur in the evaporator 102. Only a small amount of wastewater is generated. With this small amount of drainage, there is a possibility that dust and dirt adhering to the drainage hose 310 cannot be removed. For this reason, dust and dust accumulate in the drain hose 310 and the drain hose 310 may be clogged.
In addition, since a small amount of drainage is continuously discharged from the outdoor drainage hose 310, there is a problem that the aesthetic appearance around the drainage part of the drainage hose 310 is impaired.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, The objective is to provide the drainage device of the air conditioner which can prevent clogging of a drainage hose.

  The main invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an indoor unit having a built-in evaporator that performs heat exchange, and a drainage that is generated by the evaporator performing the heat exchange from the indoor unit to the outdoor. A drainage device for an air conditioner, comprising: a drainage hose, a reservoir for storing the drainage falling from the outlet of the indoor unit, and the reservoir for rotating according to a storage amount of the drainage A base having a shaft support that pivotally supports the side surface of the water storage tank, and the amount of water stored in the water storage tank does not exceed a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support The water tank does not rotate, and when the water storage amount of the drainage in the water tank exceeds a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support body, the water tank rotates and the water tank The waste water is supplied to the drain hose. According to this drainage device, the amount of drainage in the water storage tank exceeds a predetermined position above the pivot support position of the water storage tank, so that the water stored in the water tank rotates and can be supplied to the drainage hose all at once. . Therefore, since dust and dirt adhering to the drainage hose can be removed by drainage, clogging of the drainage hose can be prevented. Further, since the drainage is not continuously discharged, it is possible to prevent the aesthetic appearance around the drainage hose from being impaired.

  In the air conditioner drain device, the water storage tank includes an opening surface to which the drainage is supplied, the side surface, and a bottom surface, and the side surface has an area of the bottom surface smaller than an area of the opening surface. It is preferable to be inclined so as to become. According to this drainage device, since the capacity of the drainage stored below the pivot support position is reduced, the balance is easily lost when the amount of drainage in the water storage tank exceeds the pivot support position of the pivot support. Therefore, the water storage tank can be reliably rotated, and the waste water stored in the water storage tank can be reliably discharged.

  Moreover, in the drainage device of the air conditioner, it is preferable that the water storage tank has a weight on the bottom surface for adjusting the rotation timing of the water storage tank. According to this drainage device, by adjusting the rotation timing, a certain amount of drainage stored up to a predetermined position above the pivot support position can be reliably discharged. More preferably, the weight maintains the water tank in a stable position regardless of the amount of water stored until the water tank rotates.

  Furthermore, in the drainage device of the air conditioner, the water storage tank has a drain outlet for forcibly draining the drainage in the water storage tank and a drain plug for closing the drain outlet on the bottom surface. Also good. According to this drainage device, the drainage in the water tank can be forcibly drained by removing the drain plug from the drain port. For example, the drainage is stored in the water tank, When the operation is stopped, the waste water stored in the water storage tank can be discharged.

  In the air conditioner drain device, the water storage tank has a drain port for forcibly draining the drainage in the water tank and an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the drain port on the bottom surface. May be. According to this drainage device, the drainage stored in the water tank by the control of the electromagnetic valve can be discharged from the water tank without bothering human hands.

  In the air conditioner drain apparatus, the solenoid valve is preferably opened based on a stop signal indicating that the operation of the air conditioner has stopped. According to this drainage device, when the operation of the air conditioner stops, the drainage stored in the water storage tank can be reliably discharged.

  Further, in the air conditioner drainage device, when the amount of the drainage water stored in the water storage tank exceeds a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support body, the water storage tank is only in one of them. The center of gravity of the water storage tank may be offset from the support shaft of the shaft support body so as to rotate. According to this drainage device, the water storage tank can be rotated in only one direction by shifting the center of gravity of the water storage tank from the support shaft of the shaft support body, for example, by providing the drainage hose on the rotating side of the water storage tank, The wastewater stored in the water storage tank can be efficiently supplied to the drainage hose.

  Further, in the air conditioner drainage device, when the amount of the drainage water stored in the water storage tank exceeds a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support body, the water storage tank is only in one of them. The weight may be provided at a position where the center of gravity of the water storage tank deviates from the support shaft of the shaft support body. According to this drainage device, the water storage tank can be rotated only in one direction by providing the weight at a position where the center of gravity of the water storage tank deviates from the support shaft of the shaft support body. For example, the drainage hose rotates the water storage tank. By providing on the side, the drainage water stored in the water storage tank can be efficiently supplied to the drainage hose.

  According to the present invention, the drainage hose can be prevented from being clogged.

  At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing an example in which a drainage container incorporating a drainage device of the present invention is attached to an indoor unit of an air conditioner. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the drainage container of FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the same components as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Further, in the following drawings, as shown in the drawing, the x direction, the y direction, and the z direction are set. The z direction is the vertical direction.

  The drainage container 10 is, for example, a cubic container that houses the drainage device of the present invention, and is attached to the indoor side of the wall of the house.

  The drainage hose 310a naturally discharges the wastewater generated in the indoor unit 100 from the discharge port 104 of the indoor unit 100 to the drainage container 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the drainage hose 310 a is inserted into the drainage container 10 through the through hole 12 provided on the surface of the drainage container 10 on the + z side. And the waste_water | drain which generate | occur | produces in the indoor unit 100 falls to the drainage device 20 in the drainage container 10 through the drain outlet 104 and the drainage hose 310a.

  The drainage hose 310b naturally drains the drainage discharged from the drainage container 10 to the outside through the wall hole 400. As shown in FIG. 2, the drainage hose 310 b is inserted into the drainage container 10 through a through hole 14 provided at the −z side end of the + x side surface of the drainage container 10.

  The drainage container 10 is attached to a position where drainage from the indoor unit 100 can be naturally discharged from the indoor unit 100 to the outside by its own weight via the drainage hoses 310a and 310b.

=== Configuration of drainage device ===
The configuration of the drainage device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the drainage device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The drainage device 20 shown in FIG. 3 is mainly composed of a water tank 30 and a base 40.

≪Water tank≫
The water storage tank 30 stores the wastewater falling from the drainage hose 310a, and includes an opening surface 32 having an opening to which the drainage is supplied, a side surface 34 surrounding the −z side of the opening surface 32, and a −z side of the side surface 34. The bottom surface 36 is formed at the end.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the side surface 34 on the + x side and the −x side of the water storage tank 30 is directly below the support shaft (one-dot chain line) so that the area of the bottom surface 36 is smaller than the area of the opening surface 32. It inclines toward (-z direction). As a result, when the amount of drainage stored in the water storage tank 30 is small (for example, when the position of the support shaft is not exceeded), it is easy to stabilize, and when the amount of drainage stored in the water storage tank 30 is large (for example, the support shaft). If it exceeds the position, it is easy to lose balance. In FIG. 3, only the lower side (−z side) of the side surface 34 is inclined with respect to the side shaft 34, but may be gently inclined from the opening surface 32 to the bottom surface 36, for example.

  Further, a drain port 37, a drain plug 38, and a weight 39 are provided on the bottom surface 36 of the water storage tank 30.

  The drainage port 37 is for forcibly draining the wastewater stored in the water storage tank 30, and is provided, for example, at the midpoint of the bottom surface 36 of the water storage tank 30 in the y direction.

  The drain plug 38 closes the drain port 37. The drainage port 37 is blocked by the drain plug 38 so that the drainage can be stored in the water storage tank 30. When the drain plug 38 is removed from the drain port 37, the drainage stored in the water storage tank 30 is discharged from the drain port 37.

  The weight 39 adjusts the rotation timing when the water storage tank 30 is pivotally supported by a shaft support 42 of the base 40, which will be described later, and maintains the water storage tank in a stable position until it rotates. It is provided at the + y side end and the −y side end of the bottom surface 36 of the water storage tank 30, respectively. The rotational force in the rotational direction of the water storage tank 30 is determined by the resultant force of gravity applied to each part around the fulcrum 44. The rotational force that each part provides at the point of the fulcrum 44 depends on the weight of each part and its part. It is proportional to the distance from the fulcrum 44. As a result, the part farther away from the fulcrum 44 has a stronger influence on the rotational force, so the influence of the weight 39 and the drainage stored before starting the rotation is large, and until the water tank 30 starts to rotate. Increases the force to keep it in a stable position. By providing the weight 39 in this way, for example, when the water storage tank 30 does not store the amount of drainage in which the water storage tank 30 starts rotating, It is possible to prevent the water storage tank 30 from rotating due to a person jumping around the air conditioner. Therefore, a certain amount of drainage can be reliably discharged.

≪Base≫
The base 40 has a pair of shaft supports 42 on the + y side and the −y side, for example, in the center of the base 40 in the x direction.
The shaft support 42 is formed so as to protrude in the + z direction from the base 40, and the water storage tank 30 is-in the y direction with a support shaft (a dashed line) connecting the fulcrum 44 as a center according to the amount of stored water in the drainage. The side surface 34 of the water storage tank 30 is pivotally supported so as to rotate clockwise (hereinafter referred to as “a” direction) or counterclockwise (hereinafter referred to as “b” direction) as viewed from the + side.

=== Operation of drainage device ===
The operation of the drainage device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4E are views for explaining the operation of the drainage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the drainage device 20, when drainage is not stored in the water storage tank 30, the center of gravity of the water storage tank 30 including the weight 39 is lower than the position of the support shaft (hereinafter referred to as the shaft support position). It is stable in the state shown in (a).

And the waste_water | drain produced | generated by the evaporator 102 of the indoor unit 100 falls from the drainage hose 310a through the discharge port 104, and is supplied to the opening surface 32 of the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 20, and FIG.4 (b). As shown, the water is stored in the water tank 30. Further, the drainage is stored, and as shown in FIG. 4C, the balance is lost when the storage amount of the drainage in the water storage tank 30 is higher than the pivot support position. Then, when the amount of stored water exceeds a predetermined position above the pivot support position, as shown in FIG. Start spinning. By this rotation, the drainage in the water storage tank 30 moves to the + x side from the fulcrum 44. Then, due to the movement of the drainage, the balance is further lost, and the water storage tank 30 rotates in the same direction (direction a) as shown in FIG. Then, the wastewater stored in the water storage tank 30 is discharged from the opening surface 32 of the water storage tank 30. When the waste water in the water storage tank 30 is discharged, it is further rotated in the a direction from the state of FIG. 4 (e) or rotated in the b direction from the state of FIG. Return to the state of a).
Thereafter, the operations of FIGS. 4A to 4E are repeated.

  The water tank 30 is rotated only in either the a direction or the b direction by shifting the position of the center of gravity of the water tank 30 to the + x side or the -x side from the support shaft of the shaft support body 42. Can do.

  5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for shifting the position of the center of gravity of the water storage tank 30. FIG.

  5A and 5B are side views of the water storage tank 30 of FIG. 3 as viewed from the −y side to the + y side. 5 (a) and 5 (b), G indicates the position of the center of gravity of the water storage tank 30 (including the weight 39) in a state where drainage is not stored. A one-dot chain line is a line in the vertical direction (z direction) passing through the support shaft.

  As shown by the solid line in the figure, when the storage tank 30 and the weight 39 are symmetrical with respect to the + x side and the -x side with respect to the alternate long and short dash line, the + x side from the alternate long and short dash line and the -x side from the alternate long and short dash line The center of gravity G of the water storage tank is on the one-dot chain line. At this time, the distance from the alternate long and short dash line to the + x side end and the −x side end of the water storage tank 30 is d1, and the distance from the alternate long and short dash line to the + x side end and the −y side end of the weight 39 is d3.

  Here, for example, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 5A, when the water tank 30 is formed so that the distance from the alternate long and short dash line to the + x side end of the water tank 30 is d2 (> d1), the position of the center of gravity G Shifts to the + x side from the support shaft.

  For example, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 5B, when the weight 39 is provided so that the distance from the alternate long and short dash line to the + x side end of the weight 39 is d4 (> d3), the position of the center of gravity G is indicated by an arrow. It will shift in the direction (combination direction of + x side and -z side). For example, the weight 39 shown in FIG. 5A may be moved and provided so that the + x side end is positioned at the broken line in FIG. Thus, by changing the size of the weight 39 or shifting the position, the position of the center of gravity G is shifted to the + x side from the support shaft. And when the water tank 30 rotates, it always rotates in the a direction.

  Conversely, if the position of the center of gravity G is shifted, for example, to the −x side from the support shaft of the shaft support body 42 by the same method, the water tank 30 always rotates in the b direction. It becomes like this. Note that the position of the center of gravity G is shifted within a range in which the water storage tank 30 does not rotate in a state where the amount of drainage in the water storage tank 30 does not exceed the pivot support position.

  Thus, by discharging the drainage water in the water storage tank 30 by shifting the position of the center of gravity of the water storage tank 30 from the support shaft, the water storage tank 30 can be rotated only in one of the a direction and the b direction. it can. Therefore, for example, when draining water in the water tank 30, if the water tank 30 rotates around the support shaft toward the drain hose 310 b (for example, a direction), the water stored in the water tank 30. Can be efficiently supplied to the drainage hose 310b, and the drainage hose 310b can be more reliably prevented from being clogged.

  Further, for example, when drainage is not generated by stopping the operation of the air conditioner, it is not preferable for hygiene to leave the drainage in the water storage tank 30 in a state where the drainage is stored. Therefore, for example, when the surface of the drainage container 10 is configured to be a door that can be opened and closed and the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, the drainage container 10 is opened and the drain plug 38 of the water storage tank 30 is connected to the drain port 37. Try to remove from. Thus, the wastewater stored in the water storage tank 30 is forcibly drained from the drainage port 37 and supplied to the drainage hose 310b.

=== Other Embodiments ===
In the embodiment described above, the drainage device 20 and the indoor unit 100 are separated, but the drainage device 20 and the indoor unit 100 can be integrated. For example, the drainage container 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be formed integrally with the lower part or the side part of the indoor unit 100, or each of the drainage container 10 and the indoor unit 100 may be hooked or attached to each other, for example. The drainage container 10 may be locked to the lower part or the side part of the indoor unit 100 by providing a free cloth tape or the like. However, in these cases, the drainage hose 310a and the drainage container 10 are used to drop the wastewater generated in the indoor unit 100 into the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 20 accommodated in the drainage container 10 through the discharge port 104. Try to arrange.

  Further, the drainage device 20 may be provided inside the indoor unit 100. In this case, a discharge port for discharging waste water generated in the evaporator 102 is provided inside the indoor unit 100, and the drain device 20 is disposed so that the waste water discharged from the discharge port falls into the water storage tank 30 of the drain device 20. Try to install.

  It is also possible to measure the amount of dehumidification (discharge amount of waste water) by the air conditioner in a pseudo manner by counting the number of rotations of the drain tank 30. Furthermore, the waste water in the water tank 30 can be automatically and forcibly discharged when the air conditioner is stopped.

  Drawing 6 is a figure for explaining an example of the composition of the indoor unit which provided the drainage device concerning other embodiments of the present invention inside. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG.

  The indoor unit 101 shown in FIG. 6 includes an evaporator 102, a drain pan 106, a discharge port 108, a communication unit 112, a control unit 110, a reset button 111, a display unit 130, a display 140, a drain device 21, and a drain hose 310. ing. In FIG. 6, the part surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line indicates that it exists inside the indoor unit 101, and does not indicate that it is provided at the position shown in the figure.

The drainage tray 106 is disposed below the evaporator 102 and receives drainage generated by heat exchange of the evaporator 102.
The discharge port 108 discharges wastewater from the drainage tray 106, and this wastewater falls into a water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21 described later.
As will be described later, the drainage device 21 stores the drainage falling from the drainage port 108 and supplies the stored drainage to the drainage hose 310.

  The communication unit 112 communicates, for example, with a remote controller (not shown, hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) that instructs the operation (start, stop, etc.) of the air conditioner, for example, wirelessly. Further, the communication unit 112 outputs various signals to the control unit 110 described later based on this communication.

The display unit 130 displays values such as a dehumidification amount and a drainage flow rate on the display 140 based on an output of the control unit 110 described later.
When pressed, the reset button 111 generates a reset signal for resetting a counter 117 of the control unit 110 described later.
The control unit 110 controls the overall operation of the air conditioner. Further, the controller 110 calculates the dehumidification amount and flow rate, and controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 62 of the drainage device 21 described later.

≪Drainage device≫
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a drainage device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, parts having the same configuration as the drainage device 20 of FIG. In addition, the operation | movement which discharges the waste_water | drain stored in the drainage device 21 is the same as the operation | movement of the drainage device 20 mentioned above.

The drainage device 21 has a drainage port 60, a solenoid valve 62, a light emitting element 50, and a light receiving element 52.
The drain port 60 is for forcibly draining the waste water in the water tank 30, and is provided on the bottom surface 36 of the water tank 30.
The electromagnetic valve 62 opens and closes the drain port 60 according to an instruction from the control unit 110.
The light emitting element 50 outputs an optical signal, and is provided on the surface on the + y side of the shaft support 42 on the −y side of the base 40.
The light receiving element 52 receives an optical signal from the light emitting element 50, and is provided at a position corresponding to the light emitting element 50 on the −y side surface of the + y side shaft support 42 of the base 40.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the light emitting element 50 and the light receiving element 52. 8A and 8B show the positional relationship of the light emitting element 50, the light receiving element 52, the weight 39, and the shaft support 42 when the drainage device 21 is viewed from the + z direction side.

  The light emitting element 50 and the light receiving element 52 are respectively provided on the opposing surfaces of the pair of shaft supports 42, and the light receiving element 52 receives an optical signal from the light emitting element 50. When the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 30 is small and the water storage tank 30 is not rotating, the optical path between the light emitting element 50 and the light receiving element 52 is blocked by the weight 39 as shown in FIG. In this case, the light receiving element 52 does not receive the optical signal from the light emitting element 50.

  When the water storage tank 30 rotates due to the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 30 exceeding the pivot support position, the weight 39 rotates in the same direction as shown in FIG. When the weight 39 rotates, an optical path between the light emitting element 50 and the light receiving element 52 is formed, and the light receiving element 52 receives an optical signal from the light emitting element 50.

  When the drainage of the water storage tank 30 is discharged, the weight 39 returns to the position of FIG. 8A, so that the optical path between the light emitting element 50 and the light receiving element 52 is again blocked by the weight 39. Actually, when the water storage tank 30 rotates and returns to the original position, the weight 39 swings without stopping at the position shown in FIG. The length of the weight 39 in the x direction is set to a sufficient length so that the optical path between the light emitting element 50 and the light receiving element 52 is not formed when the weight 39 swings.

≪Control part≫
FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the control unit 110. The control unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a determination unit 114, counters 116 and 117, a storage unit 118, a timer 119, a calculation unit 120, a holding unit 122, and a solenoid valve opening / closing control unit 124.

  The detecting unit 114 detects that the receiving element 52 receives the output of the transmitting element 50 as the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21 rotates.

  Based on the detection result of the detection unit 114, the counter 116 and the counter 117 up-count the number of rotations of the water storage tank 30 from an initial value (for example, 0).

  The counter 116 is provided for calculating the amount of dehumidification since the start of the air conditioner. The counter 116 is reset by, for example, an activation signal for activating the air conditioner from the communication unit 112, and the count number returns to the initial value. That is, the counter 116 always counts from the initial value when the air conditioner is activated. Note that the counter 116 may be reset when a stop signal indicating stop of the operation of the air conditioner is input from the communication unit 112 to the control unit 110.

  The counter 117 is provided to calculate the dehumidification amount in response to a request from the user of the air conditioner, for example, when it is desired to know the dehumidification amount in a certain period. The counter 117 is reset by a reset signal generated when the reset button 111 is pressed. That is, the counter 117 accumulates and counts the number of rotations of the water tank 30 after the reset button 111 is pressed regardless of whether the air conditioner is activated or stopped.

  The storage unit 118 stores data of a single drainage amount of the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21.

  The timer 119 measures the time after the activation signal is input from the communication unit 112 to the control unit 110.

The calculation unit 120 selectively selects the count number of the counter 116, the count number of the counter 117, the data of the storage unit 118, and the measurement value of the timer 119 based on the instruction signal that instructs the calculation input from the communication unit 112. Are read out and processed. For example, when the instruction signal is an instruction to calculate the amount of drainage after the start of the air conditioner, the calculation unit 120 multiplies the count number of the counter 116 and the data in the storage unit 118. When the instruction signal is an instruction to calculate the flow rate of the drainage after the start of the air conditioner, the calculation unit 120 multiplies the count number of the counter 116 and the data in the storage unit 118, and further calculates the value as a timer. Divide by 119 measurement time. Further, when the instruction signal instructs the calculation of the amount of water discharged from the air conditioner since the reset button 111 is pressed, the calculation unit 120 multiplies the count number of the counter 117 and the data in the storage unit 118.
The holding unit 112 temporarily holds the calculation result of the calculation unit 120.

  The electromagnetic valve opening / closing control unit 124 controls opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 62 of the drainage device 21. Specifically, when the stop signal is input from the communication unit 112, the electromagnetic valve open / close control unit 124 opens the electromagnetic valve 62 (hereinafter referred to as an open state). When input, the electromagnetic valve 62 is closed (hereinafter referred to as a closed state).

  With the above configuration, when the water tank 30 of the drainage device 21 rotates, the light receiving element 52 receives an optical signal from the light emitting element 50, and this is detected by the detection unit 114. Based on this detection result, the number of rotations of the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21 after the start of the air conditioner is counted by the counter 116, and further the rotation of the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21 after the reset button 111 is pressed. The number of times is counted by the counter 117.

  Then, when an instruction signal instructing calculation of the dehumidification amount after the air conditioner is activated is input from the communication unit 112 to the calculation unit 120, the calculation unit 120 stores the count number of the counter 116 in the storage unit 118. Multiplying the data of the amount of discharged water of the water storage tank 30 once. The multiplication result is the amount of discharged water (dehumidification amount) from the start of the air conditioner. Further, when the instruction signal is an instruction to calculate the flow rate of the waste water, the calculation unit 120 divides the above multiplication result by the measured value of the timer 119. Thereby, the flow rate of the drainage from the start in the air conditioner is calculated.

  In addition, when an instruction signal for instructing calculation of the dehumidification amount by the air conditioner after the reset button 111 is pressed is input from the communication unit 112 to the calculation unit 120, the calculation unit 120 stores the count number of the counter 117. The data of the unit 118 is multiplied. In this case, since the count number of the counter 117 is accumulated irrespective of the start and stop of the air conditioner, for example, the total value of the dehumidification amount by the air conditioner in one month is calculated.

  The value calculated by the calculation unit 120 is held by the holding unit 122 and displayed on the display 140 by the display unit 130. The count numbers of the counter 116 and the counter 117 may be displayed on the display 140 by the display unit 130, respectively.

  When the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, when a stop signal is input from the communication unit 112 to the control unit 110, the solenoid valve opening / closing control unit 124 opens the solenoid valve 62 of the drainage device 21 based on the stop signal. To do. Then, the wastewater stored in the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21 is forcibly drained from the drainage port 60 and supplied to the drainage hose 310. Therefore, when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, the drainage is not left in the water storage tank 30 while being stored.

  For example, if the solenoid valve opening / closing controller 124 closes the solenoid valve 62 based on the start signal, the drainage is not discharged from the drain 60 during the operation of the air conditioner. The wastewater generated in the evaporator 102 can be stored in the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21.

  The detection unit 114 detects that the light receiving element 52 receives an optical signal from the light emitting element 50, but detects that the light receiving element 52 stops receiving an optical signal from the light emitting element 50. May be. In this case, when the water tank 30 is rotated, the drainage water in the water tank 30 is discharged to return the water tank 30 to the non-rotating state, that is, from the state of FIG. When returning to the state of a), it is counted once. Therefore, also in this case, the number of rotations of the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21 can be detected similarly.

  The above is structurally designed not to be affected by oscillation, but the detection unit 114 detects the state when the same state continues for a certain period of time, and instantaneously reverses when the state is reversed. It is also possible to detect the state. In this case, the detection is possible even if there is an influence of the swing. Further, as a method for detecting the number of operations of drainage, a proximity switch using a generally used magnetic field or the like can be used.

  Thus, based on the fact that the water storage tank 30 of the drainage device 21 rotates, the dehumidification amount by the air conditioner and the flow rate of the drainage can be easily grasped. Further, since the electromagnetic valve 62 is opened when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped, the drainage in the water storage tank 30 can be forcibly drained from the drain outlet 60 without bothering human hands.

  As described above, the drainage device of the present invention can supply the drainage water stored in the water storage tank to the drainage hose at a stretch. Thereby, clogging of the drainage hose can be prevented.

  The above-described embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention is changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

It is a figure which shows an example which attached the container for drainage which accommodates the drainage device of this invention in the indoor unit of the air conditioner. It is a figure which expands and shows the container for drainage. It is a perspective view showing the composition of the drainage device concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the drainage apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to shift the position of the gravity center of a water tank. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the indoor unit which provided the drainage device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention inside. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the drainage apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement by a transmission element and a receiving element. It is a block diagram for demonstrating an example of a structure of a control part. It is a figure for demonstrating an air conditioner.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Drainage container 12, 14 Through hole 20, 21 Drainage device 30 Water storage tank 32 Opening surface 34 Side surface 36 Bottom surface 37, 60 Drainage port 38 Drainage plug 39 Weight 40 Base 42 Shaft support body 44 Support point 50 Light emitting element 52 Light receiving element 62 Solenoid valve 100, 101 Indoor unit 102 Evaporator 104, 108 Discharge port 106 Drain pan 110 Control unit 112 Communication unit 114 Detection unit 116, 117 Counter 118 Storage unit 119 Timer 120 Calculation unit 122 Holding unit 124 Solenoid valve opening / closing control unit 130 Display Part 140 Display 200 Outdoor unit 202 Compressor 204 Condenser 300, 302, 304 Refrigerant pipe 310, 310a, 310b Drain hose 400 Wall hole

Claims (8)

Drainage of an air conditioner comprising: an indoor unit that includes an evaporator that performs heat exchange; and a drainage hose that naturally discharges wastewater generated by the evaporator performing the heat exchange from the indoor unit to the outside. A device,
A water storage tank for storing the waste water falling from the outlet of the indoor unit;
A base having a pivot support that pivotally supports a side surface of the water storage tank so that the water storage tank rotates according to the amount of water stored in the drainage,
When the stored amount of the waste water in the water storage tank does not exceed a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support body, the water storage tank does not rotate,
When the water storage amount of the waste water in the water storage tank exceeds a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support body, the water storage tank rotates and supplies the waste water in the water storage tank to the drain hose. To
An air conditioner drainage device characterized by that. The water tank is composed of an opening surface to which the drainage is supplied, the side surface, and the bottom surface,
The side surface is inclined so that the area of the bottom surface is smaller than the area of the opening surface.
The drainage device for an air conditioner according to claim 1. The water tank has a weight on the bottom surface for adjusting the rotation timing of the water tank.
The drainage device for an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2. The water storage tank has a drain outlet for forcibly draining the drainage in the water storage tank, and a drain plug for closing the drain outlet on the bottom surface.
The drainage device for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The water tank has a drain port for forcibly draining the drainage in the water tank and an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the drain port on the bottom surface.
The drainage device for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The solenoid valve is opened based on a stop signal indicating that the operation of the air conditioner has stopped.
The drainage device for an air conditioner according to claim 5. The center of gravity of the water storage tank so that the water storage tank rotates only to one when the amount of water stored in the water storage tank exceeds a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support body. Is displaced from the support shaft of the shaft support,
The drainage device for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6. When the stored amount of the waste water in the water storage tank exceeds a predetermined position above the shaft support position of the shaft support body, the weight is stored in the water storage tank so that the water storage tank rotates only to one of them. The center of gravity of the tank is provided at a position deviated from the support shaft of the shaft support.
The drainage device for an air conditioner according to claim 3.

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