JP2008190793A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of humidifying the inside of a room in cooling operation. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner 1 has an indoor unit 3, a water supply part 26 and a control part 4. The water supply part 26 supplies water to the indoor unit 3. The control part 4 controls humidification using evaporation of water. The indoor unit 3 has a first indoor heat exchanger 15a, a second indoor heat exchanger 15b and a second expansion valve 115. The second expansion valve 115 is arranged between the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b. The control part 4 reduces pressure of a refrigerant by the second expansion valve 115 when controlling the in humidification, and evaporates the water by heat radiation of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a with the first indoor heat exchanger 15a as a condenser and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b as an evaporator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner that can humidify a room.

In recent years, air conditioners equipped with humidifying means have been widely used. In this air conditioner, water is stored in the container in advance, and the water is conveyed indoors and diffused into the indoor air by the humidifying means. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The air conditioner described in Patent Literature 1 includes an indoor heat exchanger, a humidifying unit, a pump, a first outdoor heat exchanger, and a second outdoor heat exchanger. During the heating operation, the first outdoor heat exchanger and Condensed water generated in the second outdoor heat exchanger is conveyed by a pump to humidifying means disposed in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger.
JP 2002-213780 A

  However, the air conditioning apparatus described in Patent Document 1 assumes indoor humidification during heating operation, and does not disclose any room humidification during cooling operation.

  Then, the subject of this invention is providing the air conditioning apparatus which can humidify a room | chamber interior at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation.

  The air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an indoor unit, a water supply unit, and a control unit. The water supply unit supplies water to the indoor unit. The control unit performs humidification control using water evaporation. The indoor unit has a first indoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism. The expansion mechanism is disposed between the first indoor heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger. During the humidification control, the control unit decompresses the refrigerant by the expansion mechanism, sets the first indoor heat exchanger as the high-pressure side heat exchanger, and sets the second indoor heat exchanger as the low-pressure side heat exchanger, thereby performing the first indoor heat exchange. Water is evaporated by heat dissipation from the vessel.

  Since this air conditioner can cool a room while humidifying it, indoor drying during cooling operation is prevented. Moreover, since water evaporates by heat radiation of the first indoor heat exchanger, other heating means for heating the water becomes unnecessary, and the increase in size of the indoor unit is suppressed.

  The air conditioning apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes an indoor unit, a water supply unit, and a control unit. The water supply unit supplies water to the indoor unit. The control unit performs humidification control using water evaporation. The indoor unit has a first indoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism. The expansion mechanism is disposed between the first indoor heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger. During humidification control, the controller depressurizes the refrigerant with an expansion mechanism, uses the first indoor heat exchanger as a condenser, and the second indoor heat exchanger as an evaporator, and releases water by heat radiation from the first indoor heat exchanger. Evaporate.

  Since this air conditioner can cool a room while humidifying it, indoor drying during cooling operation is prevented. Moreover, since high temperature is obtained from the 1st indoor heat exchanger used as the condenser, water vapor | steam is easy to be produced | generated, the other heating means which heats water becomes unnecessary, and the enlargement of an indoor unit is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the indoor unit further includes a container for storing water supplied from the water supply unit. The container is disposed in the vicinity of the first indoor heat exchanger.

  In this air conditioner, the room is humidified simply by storing water in the container, so the configuration is simple and inexpensive.

  An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the container is formed of a moisture permeable membrane that allows only water vapor to pass through.

  In this air conditioner, since the container can be made thin and close to the indoor heat exchanger, the endothermic property of water is increased and water vapor is efficiently generated. Moreover, the enlargement of an indoor unit is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the water supplied to the container includes condensed water generated by the second indoor heat exchanger during humidification control.

  In this air conditioner, the dew condensation water is replenished as the humidification water, so the humidification water is not insufficient.

  Since the air conditioner according to the first and second aspects of the invention can cool the room while humidifying it, indoor drying during cooling operation is prevented. Moreover, the other heating means for heating water becomes unnecessary, and the increase in the size of the indoor unit is suppressed.

  In the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the invention, the room is humidified simply by accumulating water in the container, so the configuration is simple and inexpensive.

  In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the container can be made thin and close to the indoor heat exchanger, so that the water endotherm is increased and water vapor is efficiently generated. Moreover, the enlargement of an indoor unit is suppressed.

  In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the humidifying water does not run short.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

<Schematic configuration of air conditioner>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 has a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first expansion valve 14, a first indoor heat exchanger 15a, and a second expansion so that the refrigerant can flow. Devices such as the valve 115, the second indoor heat exchanger 15b, and the accumulator 20 are connected to form a refrigerant circuit. The 2nd expansion valve 115 is an expansion valve used at the time of the humidification control mentioned later.

  Humidification means 21 is disposed in the vicinity of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a. The humidifying means 21 gives appropriate moisture to the air that passes through the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and is blown into the room. Water used in the humidifying means 21 is supplied from the water supply unit 26. The water supply unit 26 includes a hose 22, a tank 23, and a pump 25. The water is stored in the tank 23, and the water in the tank 23 is pumped up by the pump 25 and conveyed to the humidifying means 21 through the hose 22.

  The humidifying means 21 has a plurality of moisture permeable membrane containers 21a (hereinafter referred to as moisture permeable membrane containers 21a), and water in the tank 23 is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane containers 21a. When the moisture permeable membrane container 21a is heated from the outside and water vapor is generated inside, only the water vapor passes through the moisture permeable membrane and is released to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the first indoor heat exchanger 15a, the second indoor heat exchanger 15b, the second expansion valve 115, and the humidifying means 21 are on the indoor unit 3 side, and the others are on the outdoor unit 2 side. The control unit 4 includes a CPU and a memory, and controls each device of the air conditioner 1.

<Indoor unit>
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The indoor unit 3 is a wall-mounted indoor unit that is attached to the wall surface of the room. As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 60, the frame 61, the first indoor heat exchanger 15a, the second indoor heat exchanger 15b, and a fan 63, a filter unit 71, and the like.

  The casing 60 includes a grill 60a, a front panel 60b, and a back plate 60c. The grill 60 a is disposed so as to cover the filter unit 71. The front panel 60b is attached so as to cover the front surface of the grill 60a. The filter unit 71 includes a filter that removes dust contained in the air sucked by the fan 63 and a frame that supports the filter.

  The first indoor heat exchanger 15 a, the second indoor heat exchanger 15 b, and the fan 63 are attached to the frame 61. The 1st indoor heat exchanger 15a and the 2nd indoor heat exchanger 15b are connected on both sides of the 2nd expansion valve 115 (refer to Drawing 1). The first indoor heat exchanger 15a is positioned above the fan 63 while being bent in an inverted V shape. The second indoor heat exchanger 15 b is located below the first indoor heat exchanger 15 a and in front of the fan 63. In FIG. 1, when the second expansion valve 115 depressurizes the refrigerant, one of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b becomes a condenser, and the other becomes an evaporator. For example, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows from the first indoor heat exchanger 15a side to the second indoor heat exchanger 15b side. When the second expansion valve 115 depressurizes the refrigerant at this time, the first indoor heat exchanger 15a becomes a condenser, and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b becomes an evaporator.

  The fan 63 blows the air taken in from the room against the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b, and then blows it into the room. A blower outlet 65 is provided at the lower front portion of the frame 61, and a horizontal flap 67 for guiding the air blown from the blower outlet 65 is provided at the blower outlet 65. The horizontal flap 67 can change the air guiding direction and can open and close the air outlet 65.

(Humidification means)
In FIG. 1, the humidification means 21 is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the 1st indoor heat exchanger 15a. The humidifying means 21 includes a plurality of moisture permeable membrane containers 21a. The moisture permeable membrane is a membrane having a property of transmitting only water vapor without transmitting liquid water. 3A is a front view of the moisture permeable membrane container. In FIG. 3A, the moisture permeable membrane container 21a is a flat tube having a bottom, and the inlet 21b sandwiches the water supply / drain port 21c. Sealed in a state. The water supply / drain port 21c passes the water supplied from the pump 25 into the moisture permeable membrane container 21a, and passes the water from the inside of the moisture permeable membrane container 21a to the outside when the pump 25 reversely operates. The water supplied in the moisture permeable membrane container 21a cannot pass through the moisture permeable membrane and therefore stays in the moisture permeable membrane. However, the water vapor generated therein diffuses through the moisture permeable membrane.

<Operation of air conditioner>
The air conditioner 1 can switch between the cooling operation and the heating operation by changing the flow path of the refrigerant with the four-way switching valve 12.

(Heating operation)
During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms a flow path indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1, and the compressor 11 and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b communicate with each other, and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b and the outdoor heat exchanger are connected. Each of 13 functions as a condenser and an evaporator. During the heating operation, the second expansion valve 115 is fully opened, and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b and the first indoor heat exchanger 15a function as one condenser. That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 is introduced into the second indoor heat exchanger 15b and the first indoor heat exchanger 15a. Here, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the room air, and the temperature of the refrigerant decreases to a medium temperature / high pressure state. The refrigerant that has exited the first indoor heat exchanger 15 a enters the first expansion valve 14.

  The refrigerant is decompressed by the first expansion valve 14 and introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 13. At this time, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air is performed in the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates, and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 becomes low temperature. The refrigerant that has exited the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is again sucked into the compressor 11.

  When water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane container 21a during the heating operation, the moisture permeable membrane container 21a is heated by the heat radiation of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a, so that water vapor generated in the moisture permeable membrane container 21a is generated. It is discharged through the moisture permeable membrane and the room is humidified.

(Cooling operation)
During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms a flow path indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1, the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 communicate with each other, and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the first indoor heat exchanger 15a are Each functions as a condenser and an evaporator. In the normal cooling operation, the second expansion valve 115 is fully opened, and the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b function as one evaporator. That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and exchanges heat with the outdoor air, so that the temperature decreases and the medium temperature and high pressure state is obtained. The refrigerant exiting the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is decompressed by the first expansion valve 14 and introduced into the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b. The first indoor heat exchanger 15a and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b exchange heat between the refrigerant and the room air, the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates, and the room air is cooled.

(Humidification control during cooling operation)
During the cooling operation, since the temperature of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a is low, even if water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane container 21a, water vapor is not generated and the room is not humidified. When it is desired to cool the room while humidifying, the control unit 4 performs humidification control. During humidification control, the control unit 4 fully opens the refrigerant flow path of the first expansion valve 14 and throttles the refrigerant flow path of the second expansion valve 115. As a result, the high-temperature / high-pressure refrigerant is introduced into the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and dissipates heat, so that the refrigerant is in a medium-temperature / high-pressure state. The moisture permeable membrane container 21a is heated by heat dissipation at this time, and water vapor is generated in the moisture permeable membrane container 21a, and the water vapor that has passed through the moisture permeable membrane is released into the air.

  The refrigerant that has exited the first indoor heat exchanger 15a is decompressed by the second expansion valve 115 and introduced into the second indoor heat exchanger 15b. The second indoor heat exchanger 15b exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the room air, the refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates, and the room air is cooled. Therefore, since the water vapor permeated from the moisture permeable membrane container 21a and the air cooled by the second indoor heat exchanger 15b are blown into the room, the room is simultaneously cooled and humidified. The refrigerant that has exited the second indoor heat exchanger 15b is sucked into the compressor 11 again.

<Modification>
In the present embodiment, the water in the moisture permeable membrane container 21a is heated by the heat radiation of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a, but is not limited to this. FIG. 3B is a front view of a moisture permeable membrane container including a U-shaped refrigerant pipe, and FIG. 3C is a front view of the moisture permeable membrane container through which the refrigerant pipe penetrates. Since the moisture permeable membrane container 21a as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C can heat the water therein, the generation of water vapor is promoted and the humidifying ability is improved.

  Further, a moisture permeable membrane container 21a as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C may be arranged on the downstream side of the blown air. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit in which a moisture permeable membrane container including a refrigerant pipe is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet. In FIG. 4, the moisture permeable membrane container 21 a is disposed in the middle of the blowout passage extending from the fan 63 to the blowout port 65. Since the high-temperature refrigerant that has exited the compressor 11 passes through the refrigerant pipe 16 of the moisture-permeable membrane container 21a before entering the first indoor heat exchanger 15a, the water in the moisture-permeable membrane container 21a is heated by the high-temperature refrigerant. Generates water vapor. The water vapor passes through the moisture permeable membrane and diffuses into the blowing passage, and is blown into the room together with the air flowing from the fan 63.

<Features>
(1)
In the air conditioner 1, the indoor unit 3 includes a first indoor heat exchanger 15a, a second indoor heat exchanger 15b, and a second expansion valve 115. The second expansion valve 115 is disposed between the first indoor heat exchanger 15a and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b. In the humidification control during the cooling operation, the control unit 4 controls the second expansion valve 115 to depressurize the refrigerant, so that the first indoor heat exchanger 15a is a condenser and the second indoor heat exchanger 15b is an evaporator. become. A moisture permeable membrane container 21a containing water is disposed in the vicinity of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a, and water in the moisture permeable membrane container 21a is added by heat radiation of the first indoor heat exchanger 15a. When heated, water vapor is generated, and the water vapor passes through the moisture permeable membrane and diffuses into the air.

  For this reason, it is possible to humidify the room while cooling it, so that indoor drying during cooling operation is prevented. Moreover, since water is evaporated in the high temperature atmosphere of the 1st indoor heat exchanger 15a, the other heating means which heats water becomes unnecessary, and the enlargement of an indoor unit is suppressed.

(2)
In the air conditioner 1, the moisture permeable membrane container 21a is formed into a thin cylindrical shape and can be brought close to the first indoor heat exchanger 15a, so that the heat absorption of water is increased and water vapor is efficiently generated. Moreover, the enlargement of the indoor unit 3 is suppressed.

(3)
In the air conditioner 1, the water supplied to the moisture permeable membrane container 21 a is supplemented with the dew condensation water generated in the second indoor heat exchanger 15 b during the humidification control, so that the humidifying water does not run short.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for an air conditioner capable of performing a cooling operation while humidifying.

The block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the indoor unit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. (A) Front view of moisture-permeable membrane container. (B) The front view of the moisture-permeable film container containing U-shaped refrigerant | coolant piping. (C) The front view of the moisture-permeable membrane container which refrigerant piping penetrates. Sectional drawing of the indoor unit by which the moisture-permeable film container containing refrigerant | coolant piping was arrange | positioned in the blower outlet vicinity.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioning apparatus 3 Indoor unit 4 Control part 15a 1st indoor heat exchanger 15b 2nd indoor heat exchanger 21a Moisture permeable membrane container 26 Water supply part 115 2nd expansion valve (expansion mechanism)

Claims (5)

An indoor unit (3),
A water supply unit (26) for supplying water to the indoor unit (3);
A control unit (4) for performing humidification control using evaporation of the water;
With
The indoor unit (3)
A first indoor heat exchanger (15a);
A second indoor heat exchanger (15b);
An expansion mechanism (115) disposed between the first indoor heat exchanger (15a) and the second indoor heat exchanger (15b);
Have
The controller (4) depressurizes the refrigerant by the expansion mechanism (115) during the humidification control, the first indoor heat exchanger (15a) as a high pressure side heat exchanger, and the second indoor heat exchanger. (15b) is a low pressure side heat exchanger, and the water is evaporated by heat radiation of the first indoor heat exchanger (15a).
Air conditioner (1). An indoor unit (3),
A water supply unit (26) for supplying water to the indoor unit (3);
A control unit (4) for performing humidification control using evaporation of the water;
With
The indoor unit (3)
A first indoor heat exchanger (15a);
A second indoor heat exchanger (15b);
An expansion mechanism (115) disposed between the first indoor heat exchanger (15a) and the second indoor heat exchanger (15b);
Have
The controller (4) depressurizes the refrigerant by the expansion mechanism (115) during the humidification control, the first indoor heat exchanger (15a) as a condenser, and the second indoor heat exchanger (15b). And evaporating the water by heat radiation of the first indoor heat exchanger (15a),
Air conditioner (1). The indoor unit (3) further includes a container (21a) for storing the water supplied from the water supply unit (26),
The container (21a) is disposed in the vicinity of the first indoor heat exchanger (15a).
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or 2. The container (21a) is formed of a moisture permeable membrane that allows only water vapor to pass through.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 3. The water supplied to the container (21a) includes condensed water generated in the second indoor heat exchanger (15b) during the humidification control.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 3.

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