JP2008145063A - Heat exchanger, and air conditioner comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat exchanger capable of keeping effect of preventing generation of bacteria for a long period. <P>SOLUTION: This heat exchanger comprises an aluminum material 50, a chromate anticorrosion layer 60, and a resin hydrophilic layer 70. The aluminum material 50 is a base material of fins F constituting the heat exchanger. The chromate anticorrosion layer 60 is formed on a surface layer of the aluminum material 50. The resin hydrophilic layer 70 is formed on a surface layer of the chromate anticorrosion layer 60 at a surface layer side of the aluminum material 50, and includes and holds an antibacterial antifungal agent 71. The elusion of the antibacterial antifungal agent 71 to the water held on a surface of the resin hydrophilic layer 70 has temperature dependency, and variable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and an air conditioner including the heat exchanger.

  Conventionally, in a heat exchanger of an air conditioner, there is a problem that mold, bacteria, or the like adheres to the surface, causing unpleasant odors during operation or invisible bacteria to be scattered in the air. In particular, when the indoor unit functions as a refrigerant evaporator, moisture tends to adhere to the heat exchanger, and the operation is stopped with water droplets attached before the heat exchanger dries, and the operation is not resumed for a long time. In some cases, mold, bacteria, etc. are likely to propagate on the surface of the heat exchanger fins.

  On the other hand, for example, in Patent Document 1 shown below, the growth of mold and bacteria is suppressed by applying an antibacterial agent to the fins of the heat exchanger. In addition, in the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1, the antibacterial agent applied to the fin is carefully selected to have a particle size equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, and an antibacterial agent having low solubility in water is used. The antibacterial agent is gradually dissolved to lower the elution rate, so that the antibacterial and antifungal effects can be obtained continuously over a long period of time.

  Also, for example, in the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 2 shown below, the antibacterial agent is not provided in the hydrophilic layer that is the surface of the fin of the heat exchanger, but is provided in the lower corrosion-resistant layer, so On the other hand, the degree of direct contact is reduced, the amount of elution is adjusted, and the antibacterial / antifungal effect can be obtained continuously for a long time.

As described above, the above-described problems are improved by improving the surface of the fin of the heat exchanger.
JP 2006-1852 A JP 2006-78134 A

  However, in the heat exchanger of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the antibacterial agent comes out with the operation time, and the antibacterial agent provided in the vicinity of the surface is removed from the air conditioner. There is a problem that it is used up early after the start of use. As described above, if the antibacterial agent is used up at an early stage, it is troublesome because it is necessary to repeat maintenance frequently, such as applying the antibacterial agent again or replacing the heat exchanger.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the point mentioned above, The subject of this invention is the air provided with the heat exchanger and heat exchanger which can hold | maintain the generation | occurrence | production suppression effect of mold | fungi and bacteria for a long period of time. It is to provide a harmony device.

The air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a heat exchanger and a control unit. The heat exchanger has a fin substrate and a coating layer . The coating layer is formed on the surface layer side of the fin substrate and contains an eluent. The eluent has temperature dependence on the amount of elution with respect to water, and is at least one of an antibacterial agent, an antifungal agent, and an antibacterial and antifungal agent. The control unit performs elution control for increasing the temperature of the heat exchanger by controlling the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

  Here, it becomes possible to control the elution amount of the eluent according to the temperature change of the heat exchanger that changes corresponding to the operation of the air conditioner.

  Thereby, by controlling the elution amount of the eluent, it becomes possible to stably maintain the effect of suppressing the generation of bacteria for a long period of time.

Further, here, the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle is controlled by the elution control by the control unit, so that the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger can be raised and the temperature of the heat exchanger can be raised. . Thus, by performing elution control for increasing the temperature of the heat exchanger, it becomes possible to control the elution amount of the eluent.

  The heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the second invention is the heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the first invention, and the coating layer has a hydrophilic agent. The eluent is supported on the fin substrate via at least a hydrophilic agent. The eluent may be supported on the fin substrate via a substance other than the hydrophilic agent. In this eluent, the elution amount eluting from the coating layer into water at 40 ° C. is 1.5 times or more larger than the elution amount eluting from the coating layer into water at 20 ° C.

  Here, the eluent is carried on the hydrophilic agent of the coating film layer, and the vicinity of the surface of the coating film layer can be kept in a water retaining state due to the property of the hydrophilic agent. And the eluent currently carry | supported by the coating-film layer can be eluted from the part which is in a water retention state. Further, the temperature range of 20 ° C. to 40 ° C. can be easily included in the temperature change range of the heat exchanger when operating the air conditioner, and the elution amount of the eluent is 1.5 in this temperature range. It changes more than twice.

  This makes it possible to effectively control the elution amount of the eluent by utilizing the change in the temperature of the heat exchanger when operating the air conditioner.

  In addition to the effect of temperature dependence of the elution amount of the eluent itself on water, for example, the coating layer on which the eluent is supported while selecting the eluent drug and adjusting the size of the fine particle size It is also possible to synergize with the elution amount increase effect utilizing the fact that the pores of the swell expand due to the temperature increase. Thereby, it becomes possible to further improve the elution amount of the eluent.

  The heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the third invention is the heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the eluent is at 40 ° C. than the elution amount for water at 20 ° C. The elution amount with respect to water is 1.5 times or more larger.

  Here, in particular, the elution amount can be changed in the temperature range of the heat exchanger that changes when the air conditioner is operated.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to control the elution amount of the eluent while utilizing the existing air-conditioning operation control.

  A heat exchanger for an air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the heat exchanger for an air conditioner according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the eluent contains at least zinc pyrithione.

  Here, even when a drug containing zinc pyrithione is used as an eluent, generation of mold and bacteria can be suppressed over a long period of time.

An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the control unit lengthens the time for elution control as the integrated operation time for elution control increases.

  Here, the elution agent in the coating layer gradually decreases by the elution control every time, and the elution amount per unit time decreases. However, the control unit performs control to increase the time taken for the elution control as the integrated operation time becomes longer.

  Thereby, stable elution can be performed for a long time.

An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the control unit increases the temperature range of the heat exchanger that is raised in the elution control as the integrated operation time relating to the elution control becomes longer. .

  Here, the elution agent in the coating layer gradually decreases by the elution control every time, and the elution amount per unit time decreases. However, a control part performs control which increases the temperature rise width of the heat exchanger in elution control as integration operation time becomes long.

  Thereby, stable elution can be performed for a long time.

In addition, by making the 5th invention and the 6th invention compatible, the control for increasing the temperature rise of the heat exchanger in the elution control is performed while increasing the time taken for the elution control as the integrated operation time becomes longer. And more stable elution can be performed for a long time.

An air conditioner according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention , further comprising a receiving unit that receives a predetermined signal. The control unit performs elution control when the receiving unit receives a predetermined signal. Here, the reception unit receiving the predetermined signal includes, for example, receiving the predetermined signal by pressing a predetermined button of a controller serving as the reception unit by the user.

  Here, when the user desires elution control, elution control can be automatically started only by allowing the reception unit to receive a predetermined signal.

An air conditioner according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect , wherein the control unit performs elution control after the cooling operation of the refrigeration cycle.

  Here, the control unit performs control so that the elution control is performed after performing the cooling operation in which the condensed water is held in the fins of the heat exchanger.

  Thereby, since the temperature of a heat exchanger is raised in the state with which condensed water was hold | maintained at the heat exchanger, it becomes possible to perform an effective elution.

An air conditioner according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, wherein the control unit performs elution control after the accumulated operation time of the refrigeration cycle exceeds a predetermined time. .

  Here, the control unit performs the elution control in a state where the accumulated operation time of the refrigeration cycle exceeds a predetermined time and bacteria and mold are expected to increase to some extent on the fins of the heat exchanger.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to effectively suppress the growth of bacteria, fungi and the like on the surface of the fins of the heat exchanger by repeating the elution control every integrated operation time.

In addition, by making it compatible with the eighth invention and the ninth invention, elution control may be performed, for example, when the accumulated operation time related to the cooling operation exceeds a predetermined time.

An air conditioner according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the fifth to ninth aspects, further comprising a blower fan for blowing air to the heat exchanger. A control part performs ventilation control by a ventilation fan after elution control.

  Here, the condensed water can be evaporated and dried to increase the concentration of the eluted eluent.

  This makes it possible to actively create a situation with an elution concentration exceeding the minimum growth inhibitory concentration for killing bacteria and fungi.

An air conditioner according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to any one of the fifth aspect to the tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the control unit operates as a refrigerant evaporator in the operation immediately before performing the elution control. If not, the heat exchanger is operated as a refrigerant evaporator before elution control.

  Here, if the heat exchanger is not operated as a refrigerant condenser immediately before the elution control is performed, the fins of the heat exchanger may not hold water, and the eluent cannot be eluted. There is a fear.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner of the eleventh aspect of the invention, the control unit performs control to operate the heat exchanger as a refrigerant evaporator before performing elution control, and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchanger is low. State.

  Thereby, the state in which the heat exchanger holds condensed water can be created, and the eluent can be eluted.

An air conditioner according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner of the eleventh aspect , wherein the control unit is operated as a refrigerant condenser in the operation immediately before performing the elution control. The air exchanger is made to function as a refrigerant evaporator before the elution control is performed while the air blowing to the room is interrupted.

  When the heat exchanger is caused to function as a refrigerant evaporator at the time when the heating operation is performed, if air is blown, cold air is sent out to the room.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner of the twelfth aspect of the invention, when the heat exchanger is operated as a refrigerant evaporator, the ventilation to the room is interrupted.

  Thereby, it is possible to create a state in which the heat exchanger holds condensed water without causing discomfort to the user.

In the heat exchanger of the air conditioner of the first invention, by controlling the elution amount of the eluent, it is possible to stably maintain the effect of suppressing the generation of bacteria for a long period of time, and the temperature of the heat exchanger It is possible to control the elution amount of the eluent by performing the elution control for increasing the eluent.

In the heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to effectively control the elution amount of the eluent by utilizing the change in the temperature of the heat exchanger when operating the air conditioner.

In the heat exchanger of the air conditioner of the third invention, it becomes possible to control the elution amount of the eluent while utilizing the existing air conditioning operation control.

  In the heat exchanger of the air conditioner of the fourth invention, generation of mold and bacteria can be suppressed for a long time even when zinc pyrithione is used as an eluent.

In the air conditioner of the fifth aspect , stable elution can be performed for a long time.

In the air conditioner of the sixth aspect , stable elution can be performed for a long time.

In the air conditioning apparatus of the seventh aspect , when the user desires elution control, it is possible to automatically start elution control only by causing the reception unit to receive a predetermined signal.

In the air conditioner according to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the temperature of the heat exchanger is raised while the condensed water is held in the heat exchanger, effective elution can be performed.

In the air conditioner according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to effectively suppress the growth of bacteria, fungi and the like on the surface of the fins of the heat exchanger by repeating the elution control every integrated operation time.

In the air conditioner according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to positively create a situation with an elution concentration exceeding the minimum growth inhibitory concentration for killing bacteria and mold.

In the air conditioner according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to create a state in which the heat exchanger holds condensed water, and to elute the eluent.

In the air conditioner according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to create a state in which the heat exchanger holds condensed water without causing discomfort to the user.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

<Schematic configuration of air conditioner>
As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 100 in which an embodiment of the present invention is employed includes an indoor unit 1 installed on a wall surface in the room and an outdoor unit 2 installed outside the room, and a controller. 30 can transmit a signal to a control board portion (not shown) of the indoor unit 1.

  A heat exchanger is accommodated in each of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2, and each heat exchanger is connected by a refrigerant pipe 5 to constitute a refrigerant circuit.

<Outline of configuration of refrigerant circuit of air conditioner 100>
The structure of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is shown in FIG.

  This refrigerant circuit mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 10, an accumulator 21, a compressor 22, a four-way switching valve 23, an outdoor heat exchanger 20, and an expansion valve 24.

(Indoor unit 1)
The indoor heat exchanger 10 provided in the indoor unit 1 performs heat exchange with the air in contact therewith. Here, as shown in FIG. 3 which is a side view of the indoor unit 1, the indoor heat exchanger 10 is a fin-and-tube type, and includes a front heat exchanger 10 f disposed in front of the indoor unit 1 and a rear side. It is comprised by the back heat exchanger 10b arrange | positioned.

  In addition, the indoor unit 1 is provided with a cross flow fan 11 for sucking indoor air, passing the air through the indoor heat exchanger 10, and discharging the air after the heat exchange is performed indoors. The cross flow fan 11 is rotationally driven by one indoor fan motor 12 provided in the indoor unit 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor heat exchanger 10, the cross flow fan 11, and the like are disposed in the indoor unit casing 4.

  The indoor unit casing 4 is provided with a suction port 42 on the front and upper sides, and an air outlet 49 on the lower side. The air outlet 49 is provided with a flap 47 whose opening degree can be electrically controlled. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit casing 4 is provided with a front panel 41 on the front side and an installation plate 43 on the back side. Inside the installation plate 43, a rear frame 44 that supports the rear heat exchanger 10b, the rotating shaft portion of the cross flow fan 11, and the like is disposed.

  The front heat exchanger 10f and the rear heat exchanger 10b of the indoor heat exchanger 10 are positioned between the suction port in the indoor unit casing 4 and are bent in multiple stages so as to surround the cross flow fan 11. Has been placed.

  In the indoor unit 1, when the cross flow fan 11 is driven to rotate, indoor air (a part of floating contaminants floating in the air is removed by a prefilter (not shown)) is passed through the front and upper suction ports 42. The conditioned air that has been taken in and passed through the heat exchanger 10 is returned to the room again to air-condition the target space.

  In addition, below the front lower end portion of the front heat exchanger 10f, when the indoor heat exchanger 10 functions as a refrigerant evaporator in the refrigeration cycle, moisture in the air is cooled and condensed water adheres to the surface. Therefore, a front drain pan 45 that captures condensed water of moisture in the air generated in the front heat exchanger 10f is provided. A rear drain pan 46 is provided below the rear lower end of the rear heat exchanger 10b to catch the condensed water in the air generated in the rear heat exchanger 10b.

(Outdoor unit 2)
The outdoor unit 2 is connected to a compressor 22, a four-way switching valve 23 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 22, an accumulator 21 connected to the suction side of the compressor 22, and a four-way switching valve 23. A fin-and-tube outdoor heat exchanger 20 and an expansion valve 24 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 20 are provided. The expansion valve 24 is connected to a pipe via a liquid closing valve 26 and is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger 10 via this pipe. The four-way switching valve 23 is connected to a pipe via a gas closing valve 27, and is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 10 via this pipe. Further, the outdoor unit 2 is provided with a propeller fan 28 for discharging the air after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to the outside. The propeller fan 28 is rotationally driven by an outdoor fan motor 29.

<Controller 30>
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 which is a control block diagram, the controller 30 sends signals related to various operation modes to the control board (not shown) of the indoor unit 1 constituting a part of the control unit 8. Is provided to transmit. The control board of the indoor unit 1 is provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown). Similarly, the control board of the outdoor unit 2 that is provided with the CPU, ROM, and RAM and forms a part of the control unit 8. (Not shown). As described above, the control unit 8 is configured by the control board of the indoor unit 1 and the control board of the outdoor unit 2. The controller 30 controls each component device that sends out the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit described above to perform cooling operation, heating operation, and air blowing operation, and performs various controls such as antibacterial treatment control described later. In addition, an input button 31 for receiving a command from the user is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 8 determines the rotational speed of the indoor fan motor 12, the opening degree of the flap 47, the connection state of the four-way switching valve 22, and the rotation of the outdoor fan motor 29 according to various operation modes. The number and the driving state of the compressor 22 can be controlled.

<Heat exchanger fins>
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the fin F of the indoor heat exchanger 10 of the fin and tube type according to the present embodiment. As shown in the schematic sectional view of FIG. 5, the fin F is configured by laminating a chromate corrosion-resistant layer 60, a resin-based hydrophilic layer 70, and an antifouling layer 80 in this order on the aluminum material 50. .

  The resin-based hydrophilic layer 70 of the fin F is configured using an acrylic resin or the like as a resin-based hydrophilic agent. The acrylic resin or the like of the resin-based hydrophilic layer 70 carries a medicine containing zinc pyridione as the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71. The film thickness of the resin-based hydrophilic layer 70 is formed to be about 1.0 micrometers.

  The resin-based hydrophilic agent is not limited to an acrylic resin, and may be, for example, zeolite, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, or the like. Further, the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 is prepared so as not to be secondary agglomerated (so as not to be tertiary agglomerated) and is supported in an acrylic resin or the like.

  Further, the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 is not limited to a drug containing zinc pyrithione, and for example, a drug containing sodium zinc pyrithione may be used, and alcohol, phenol, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, Ester, ether, nitrile, peroxide, epoxy, halogen, pyridine / quinoline, triazine, isothiazolone, imidazole / thiazole, anilide, hyguanide, disulfide, thiocarbonate, carbohydrate You may use the chemical | medical agent containing a system, a tropolone system, surfactant system, an organometallic system, etc.

  The chromate layer 60 is provided for fixing the resin-based hydrophilic layer 70 carrying the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 to the aluminum material 50.

  The antifouling layer 80 is provided on the surface side of the resin-based hydrophilic layer 70 and has a property that dirt is difficult to adhere and can be washed away with water even if dirt is attached.

(Temperature characteristics of fin F)
Moreover, the fin F of this embodiment has selected the temperature-dependent thing about the elution amount with respect to the water of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71. Furthermore, for the fin F of the present embodiment, a drug is selected such that the amount of elution at 20 ° C. or lower is as small as possible and the amount of elution at 40 ° C. or higher is as high as possible.

  FIG. 6 shows a conventional antibacterial / antifungal agent (indicated by a dotted line) and the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 (indicated by a solid line) of the present embodiment with respect to the elution amount (g / l) of the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 with respect to water. Showing the difference.

  Conventional antibacterial and antifungal agents have almost no change in the amount of elution even when the temperature of the aqueous solution is different. In contrast, the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 of the present embodiment has a local increase of about 1.5 to 1.7 times between the elution amount at 20 ° C. and the elution amount at 40 ° C. Yes.

  Moreover, when the elution amount of the conventional antibacterial and antifungal agent at 20 ° C. is compared with the elution amount of the antibacterial and antifungal agent of the present embodiment, the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 of the present embodiment suppresses the elution amount lower than before. Is done. Furthermore, when the elution amount of the conventional antibacterial and antifungal agent at 40 ° C. and the elution amount of the antibacterial and antifungal agent of the present embodiment are compared, the difference at 20 ° C. is significantly greater in the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 of the present embodiment. It is shrinking.

  Further, in the above-described resin-based hydrophilic layer 70, when the temperature rises from 20 ° C. to 40 ° C., the size of the hole of the resin-based hydrophilic agent carrying the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 expands and becomes large. For this reason, the elution amount at 20 ° C. and the elution amount at 40 ° C. are not only increased due to the increase in the elution amount due to the unique temperature dependence of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 but also due to the increase in the elution amount based on the properties of the resinous hydrophilic layer 70 Each is selected and prepared so that there is a clear difference in the amount of elution.

  Hereinafter, control of the elution concentration of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 on the fin F (antibacterial treatment control) will be described.

<Antimicrobial treatment control>
The user can start antibacterial treatment control by pressing the input button 31 of the controller 30 described above. That is, when receiving an instruction to perform antibacterial treatment control via the controller 30, the control unit 8 starts the antibacterial treatment control by controlling the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2.

  Here, the flow of antibacterial treatment control (the state of the surface of the fin F and the time change of the state of various components) is shown in FIG. Moreover, the graph which shows the temperature change of the heat exchanger corresponding to a time change, FIG. 8 (a), the graph which shows the change of the amount of condensed water on the surface of the fin F, FIG. The graph which shows the density | concentration change of the fungicide 71 is shown in FIG.8 (c), respectively.

  Here, a case will be described in which the indoor heat exchanger 10 functions as a refrigerant evaporator in the refrigeration cycle by performing a cooling operation and starts from a state in which condensed water is attached to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 10. In addition, when the indoor heat exchanger 10 immediately before performing the antibacterial treatment control does not function as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the moisture is insufficient on the fins F, and the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 cannot be eluted. In such a case, the driving of the indoor fan 11 is stopped, and the indoor heat exchanger 10 is once functioned as an evaporator of the refrigerant so that the surface of the fin F is wetted with the condensed water. You may do.

  At the start of this antibacterial treatment control, most of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 eluted to the condensed water is washed away as condensed water, and the concentration of the surface of the fin F is low as shown in FIG. It is in a state.

  In the antibacterial treatment control, the control unit 8 first performs the air blowing operation to stop the operation of the compressor 22 while controlling the air volume of the indoor fan 11 to be W2.

  Next, the control unit 8 stops the operation of the indoor fan 11, starts the operation of the compressor 22, and performs the heating operation so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 10 becomes about 43 to 45 ° C. Here, the operation of the indoor fan 11 is stopped in an environment where the cooling operation is performed until the antibacterial treatment control is performed, and it is presumed that the user wanted to cool the room, and it is warmed by blowing air. This is because there is no need to send air into the room. Here, as the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 10 rises to 43 to 45 ° C., the amount of condensed water on the surface of the fin F rapidly decreases as shown in FIG. 8B, and FIG. As shown, the elution amount of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 increases rapidly, and the elution concentration increases rapidly.

  And the control part 8 performs the control which stops the driving | operation of the indoor fan 13 and the operation of the compressor 22, and maintains a stop state.

  When the stop control is finished, the control unit 8 performs the heating operation again, stops the operation of the indoor fan 11, and operates the compressor 22, so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 10 becomes 43 to 45 ° C. To control. Again, as the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 10 rose to 43 to 45 ° C., the amount of condensed water on the surface of the fin F rapidly decreased again as shown in FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C. As shown in FIG. 2, the elution amount of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 increases rapidly, and the elution concentration rapidly increases and exceeds the MIC value (minimum growth element concentration). Thereby, bacteria and mold on the surface of the fin F can be killed.

  And the control part 8 stops operation | movement of the indoor fan 11 and the compressor 22 again, and performs stop control. Thereby, the condensed water on the surface of the fin F evaporates and the elution concentration rises little by little.

  Here, the control unit 8 operates the compressor 22 to perform the heating operation so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 10 becomes 51 to 58 ° C., and operates the indoor fan 11 at a low air volume L to M level. To do. As a result, the condensed water on the surface of the fin F evaporates all at once, the elution concentration further increases, and there is almost no bacteria and mold on the surface of the fin F. Here, since the indoor fan 11 is operated and warm air is sent out indoors, the room temperature rises, but the heating air delivery operation is stopped by extending the time of the second air blowing operation or the like. It may be.

<Characteristics of Fin F of Indoor Heat Exchanger 10>
(1)
In a conventional heat exchanger, when an antibacterial and antifungal agent is provided, primary aggregation, secondary aggregation, tertiary aggregation, etc. occur, and are supported with an average particle size increased. For this reason, the antibacterial and antifungal agent is in a state where a large surface area is exposed on the surface layer, and when condensed water or the like adheres to the fins, most of the antibacterial and antifungal agent has completely eluted in a relatively short period of time. For this reason, it is difficult to stably maintain elution for a long period of time, and the antibacterial and antifungal function cannot be stably maintained for a long period of time.

  In some conventional heat exchangers, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the antibacterial and antifungal agent 971 is configured to be concentrated and supported on the lower layer side of the resin-based hydrophilic layer 970. However, in such a conventional heat exchanger, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), water soaks into the inside of the resin-based hydrophilic layer 970 through a portion having a hygroscopic function such as a sponge. All of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 971 carried on the part is eluted in a short period of time. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), only the antibacterial / antifungal agent 971 present in the portion having no hygroscopic function remains, and the antibacterial / antifungal function cannot be exhibited in the long term. .

  On the other hand, in the fin F of the indoor heat exchanger 10 of the air conditioning apparatus 100 of the above embodiment, the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 is provided so that the amount of the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 eluted with respect to the condensed water can be controlled. While maintaining a state where the average particle size is small so as not to cause secondary agglomeration, it is supported in a state of being dispersed in a well-balanced manner without being collected on the lower layer side of the resin-based hydrophilic agent. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the elution amount of the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 necessary for killing bacteria and fungi (only necessary for exceeding the minimum growth inhibitory concentration), and an extra antibacterial / antifungal agent. 71 can be prevented from flowing out. Thereby, the inhibitory effect of generation | occurrence | production of mold | fungi and bacteria can be stably hold | maintained for a long period of time.

(2)
In the fin F of the indoor heat exchanger 10 of the air conditioner 100 of the above embodiment, not only the elution temperature characteristic of the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 itself but also the resin-based hydrophilic layer on which the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 is supported. The elution amount of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 can be controlled using the degree of expansion of the resin-based hydrophilic agent 70 due to the temperature of the pore size. Thus, the amount of elution can be reduced between 20 ° C. and 40 ° C. only by using the temperature change of the indoor heat exchanger 10 by the existing operation control of the air conditioning apparatus 100 such as cooling operation, heating operation, and air blowing operation. A configuration different by 1.7 times can be obtained.

<Modification>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, specific structure is not restricted to these embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the summary of invention as follows. .

(A)
In the said embodiment, the structure of the fin F in the indoor heat exchanger 10 provided in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioning apparatus 100 was described with an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of the heat exchanger described above may be applied to, for example, the fins F of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 of the outdoor unit 2.

(B)
In the fin F of the indoor heat exchanger 10 of the air conditioner 100 of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the fin F having a configuration in which the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 is contained only in the resin-based hydrophilic layer 70 is taken as an example. Explained.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 includes not only the resin-based hydrophilic layer 70 but also a layer of the resin-based lubricant 90 provided on the surface layer. It is good also as the structure contained in. The layer containing the resin-based lubricant 90 can ensure slippage in a state where the two fins F are in contact with each other, and can improve the manufacturability of the heat exchanger. The resin-based lubricant 90 flows down along with the drain water by obtaining condensed water in the first cooling operation.

(C)
In the said embodiment, in the indoor heat exchanger 10 provided in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioning apparatus 100, the operation control which makes the indoor heat exchanger 10 function as an evaporator of a refrigerant | coolant is stopped, stopping the drive of the indoor fan 11. The case where the moisture in the air is condensed and the surface of the fin F is wetted with the condensed water is described as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a method for creating a state in which the surface of the fin F is wet with water in order to elute the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 includes, for example, a water supply source in advance. An air conditioner capable of performing a process such as spraying or dripping on the fin F when necessary is also included.

  Here, as a supply source of water, for example, a configuration like a tank in which water is put in advance may be used, or a configuration in which tap water is guided may be used.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which receives the drain water produced in the driving | operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 with a drain pan, and utilizes the water obtained by receiving with a drain pan as a supply source.

(D)
In the said embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 10 provided in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioning apparatus 100 demonstrated and demonstrated the thing of the structure which carry | supported the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 may be replenished by spraying a solution in which the antibacterial / antifungal agent is dissolved from the outside.

  In addition, a solution in which the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 is dissolved is sprayed on the heat exchanger not provided with the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 from the beginning, so that the growth of bacteria on the surface of the heat exchanger is suppressed. Also good.

(E)
In the above embodiment, in the indoor heat exchanger 10 provided in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioning apparatus 100, as the antibacterial treatment control is repeatedly performed, as shown in FIG. The amount of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 decreases. In order to stably maintain the elution amount even when the amount of the antibacterial / antifungal agent 71 is decreased in this way, the antibacterial treatment is performed when the accumulated operation time of the cooling operation exceeds a predetermined time. When the indoor heat exchanger 10 is caused to function as a refrigerant condenser in the control, control may be performed to increase the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 10 and to ensure the elution amount.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, when the remaining amount of the antibacterial and antifungal agent 71 is less than 30%, in order to obtain an elution amount that exceeds the MIC value, the heating of the indoor heat exchanger 10 is performed. It becomes necessary to do.

  Instead of heating the indoor heat exchanger 10, a longer elution time may be provided.

  If this invention is utilized, since the suppression effect of generation | occurrence | production of mold | fungi and bacteria can be hold | maintained for a long period of time, it can apply to the surface structure of the fin of the heat exchanger of an air conditioning apparatus especially.

It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a refrigerant circuit figure of an air harmony device. It is a sectional side view of an indoor unit. It is a control block diagram of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the fin structure of a heat exchanger. It is a graph which shows the difference in the elution amount of the antibacterial antifungal agent of the fin of a heat exchanger. It is a figure which shows the flow of antimicrobial treatment control. (A) It is a graph which shows the temperature change of a heat exchanger. (B) It is a graph which shows the change of the condensed water amount of the fin surface. (C) It is a graph which shows the density | concentration change of the antibacterial / antifungal agent on the fin surface. It is a graph which shows a secular change of the residual amount of an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is the graph which measured the relationship between the residual amount% of an antibacterial antifungal agent, and the elution amount at different temperatures. It is a figure which shows the fin structure of the heat exchanger which concerns on a modification (B). (A) It is a figure which shows the structure of the resin-type hydrophilic layer of the fin of the conventional heat exchanger. (B) It is a figure which shows the initial state in the resin-type hydrophilic layer of the fin of the conventional heat exchanger. (C) It is a figure which shows the structure after the middle period of the resin-type hydrophilic layer of the fin of the conventional heat exchanger.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit 2 Outdoor unit 5 Refrigerant communication piping 8 Control part 10 Indoor heat exchanger 11 Indoor fan (blower fan)
20 outdoor heat exchanger 100 air conditioner

Claims (13)

A heat exchanger (10, 20) for an air conditioner,
A fin substrate (50);
A coating layer comprising an eluent formed on the surface layer side of the fin substrate (50) and having temperature dependency on the elution amount of at least one of the antibacterial agent, the antifungal agent and the antibacterial and antifungal agent (71). (70),
An air conditioner heat exchanger (10, 20) comprising: The eluent (71) has an elution amount with respect to water at 40 ° C. of 1.5 times or more larger than an elution amount with respect to water at 20 ° C.,
The heat exchanger (10, 20) of the air conditioner according to claim 1. The coating layer (70) has a hydrophilic agent,
The eluent is supported on the fin substrate (50) through at least the hydrophilic agent, and the coating film is at 40 ° C. more than the elution amount eluted from the coating layer (70) into water at 20 ° C. The amount of elution from the layer (70) into the water is 1.5 times greater,
The heat exchanger (10, 20) of the air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The eluent contains at least zinc pyrithione,
The heat exchanger (10, 20) of the air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A heat exchanger (10, 20) for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A control unit (8) for performing elution control for increasing the temperature of the heat exchanger by operation control of the refrigeration cycle;
An air conditioner (100) comprising: The control unit (8) increases the time taken for the elution control as the integrated operation time for the elution control becomes longer.
The air conditioner (100) according to claim 5. The control unit (8) increases the temperature width of the heat exchanger to be raised in the elution control as the integrated operation time related to the elution control becomes longer.
The air conditioner (100) according to claim 5 or 6. A reception unit (31) for receiving a predetermined signal;
The control unit (8) performs the elution control when the reception unit (31) receives the predetermined signal.
The air conditioner (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The control unit (8) performs the elution control after cooling the refrigeration cycle.
The air conditioner (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The controller (8) performs the elution control after the accumulated operation time of the refrigeration cycle exceeds a predetermined time.
The air conditioner (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 9. A fan (11) for blowing air to the heat exchanger,
The control unit (8) performs air blowing control by the air blowing fan after the elution control.
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10. When the heat exchanger is not operated as a refrigerant evaporator in the operation immediately before performing the elution control, the control unit (8) evaporates the refrigerant before performing the elution control. Drive as a container,
The air conditioner (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 11. When the heat exchanger is operated as a refrigerant condenser in the operation immediately before performing the elution control, the control unit (8) stops the air blowing to the room and performs the elution control. Allowing the heat exchanger to function as a refrigerant evaporator;
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 12.

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