JP2009036385A - Ceiling-embedded air conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioning device capable of sterilizing the inside of a room in a shorter time without increasing the number of air sterilizing devices. <P>SOLUTION: In this ceiling-embedded air conditioning device comprising a casing 20 receiving an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an air blower 22, and a decoration panel 30 covering a ceiling opening portion 102 to which the casing 20 is attached, having a plurality of supply ports 32, and opening and closing members 36 capable of independently opening and closing the supply ports 32, a gas-liquid contact member 41 through which electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing the water, is penetrated, is disposed on at least one of a plurality of air trunks from the air blower 22 to the supply ports 32, and a sterilizing operation mode is provided to close the supply ports 32 corresponding to the air trunks free from the gas-liquid contact member 41 by the opening and closing members 36, and to open at least one of the supply ports 32 corresponding to the air trunks provided with the gas-liquid contact member 41 by the opening and closing member 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ceiling-embedded air conditioner that can sterilize air after air conditioning.

Conventionally, a ceiling-embedded air conditioner in which a humidifier or an air sterilizer can be installed as an option in an indoor unit is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, in the case of a so-called four-way cassette type in which four outlets are provided along the four sides of the decorative panel, it has four air paths from the blower located at the center of the indoor unit to the four outlets. Yes. A sterilization part of an air sterilization apparatus is arranged in one of the four air paths. And at the time of air-conditioning operation, air after air conditioning is blown out from the four outlets, but air after sterilization after air conditioning is blown out from the outlet corresponding to the air passage in which the sterilizing section is arranged. It has become.
JP 2000-235177 A

  However, in the indoor unit described above, air sterilized only from one of the four air outlets is blown out, and thus it takes a long time to sterilize the air in the entire room. On the other hand, although it is conceivable to provide an air sterilization device in each air passage and sterilize in a shorter time, a plurality of air sterilization devices are required, which is not a good solution in terms of cost.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus that can perform indoor sterilization in a shorter time without increasing the number of air sterilization apparatuses.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention covers a housing that houses an indoor heat exchanger and a blower, and a ceiling opening to which the housing is attached, and has a plurality of air outlets. In a ceiling-embedded air conditioner including a decorative panel having an opening / closing member that can be opened and closed, water is electrolyzed into at least one of a plurality of air paths from the blower to each outlet. The gas-liquid contact member into which the generated electrolyzed water is infiltrated is disposed, and the air-liquid contact member is disposed while the air outlet corresponding to the air passage where the gas-liquid contact member is not disposed is closed by the opening / closing member. It has a sterilization operation mode in which the air outlet corresponding to the air path is opened by the opening / closing member.
According to this configuration, by operating in the sterilization mode, almost all the air blown from the blower can be sterilized by passing through the gas-liquid contact member and supplied to the room.

The sterilization operation mode may be performed until a set time elapses from the start of the air conditioning operation.
According to this configuration, the air in the conditioned room at the start of operation can be sterilized in a short time.

Furthermore, the sterilization operation mode may be performed when the thermostat is off.
According to this configuration, the air in the conditioned room can be effectively sterilized while the air conditioning operation is suspended.

  In the present invention, a gas-liquid contact member into which electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing water is infiltrated is disposed in at least one of a plurality of air passages from the blower to each outlet. The sterilization operation mode in which the air outlet corresponding to the air passage where the liquid contact member is not disposed is closed by the opening and closing member, while the air outlet corresponding to the air passage where the gas-liquid contact member is disposed is opened by the opening and closing member. Therefore, by operating in the sterilization mode, almost all the air blown from the blower can be sterilized through the gas-liquid contact member and supplied to the room. Therefore, indoor air can be sterilized in a short time compared to the normal operation in which air is blown from all the outlets.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a four-way blow-out type ceiling-embedded air conditioner will be described as an example of an air-conditioning apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It can also be applied to a harmony device.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment. An air conditioner 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a separation type heat pump type air conditioner including an outdoor unit 1 installed outside a room to be conditioned and an indoor unit 2 installed inside a room to be conditioned. Cooling and heating the harmony room.
The outdoor refrigerant pipe 10 of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor refrigerant pipe 34 of the indoor unit 2 are connected via a connecting pipe 35, and the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are connected to the control device 8 built in the indoor unit 2. Driven under the control of.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 1 has an accumulator 12 connected to the suction side of the compressor 11, and a four-way valve 13, an outdoor heat exchanger 14, and an electric expansion valve 15 connected in order to the discharge side of the compressor 11. An outdoor refrigerant pipe 10 extending to the indoor unit 2 is connected to the compressor 11. The outdoor unit 1 is provided with an outdoor fan 16 that blows air toward the outdoor heat exchanger 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 2 includes an air inlet 31 and an air outlet 32, an indoor heat exchanger 21 in the housing 20, and a housing from the air inlet 31 toward the air outlet 32. 20 is provided with a blower 22 that conducts air.
Further, heat exchange is performed by the indoor heat exchanger 21 on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger 21, that is, on the side of the air outlet 32, in the air path (air conduction path) from the inlet 31 to the air outlet 32 in the housing 20. An air sterilization unit 4 through which the air is passed is disposed. As will be described later, the air sanitizing section 4 contacts the electrolyzed water with the heat-exchanged air in the element 41 (gas-liquid contact member, see FIG. 5A) infiltrated with electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species. This air is sterilized.

  In addition, a control device 9 that transmits and receives signals to and from the control device 8 of the outdoor unit 1 is provided inside the indoor unit 2. The control device 9 includes a CPU (not shown) and a ROM or the like in which a control program executed by the CPU is stored. By the signal from the CPU, the air outlet is opened and closed by a louver 36 (opening / closing member) described later. And the rotation angle of the louver 36 is controlled.

  On the other hand, the control device 8 of the outdoor unit 1 includes a CPU (not shown), a control program executed by the CPU, a ROM storing control data related to the control program, and programs and various data processed by the CPU. Is temporarily stored. Furthermore, the control device 8 includes an infrared receiving unit that receives an infrared signal transmitted from a remote control device (not shown) outside the indoor unit 2. The CPU receives an instruction from the remote control device based on the infrared signal received by the infrared receiving unit, reads the control program stored in the ROM according to the instruction, develops the program in the RAM, and executes it to execute the entire air conditioner 100. Control.

The air conditioner 100 is configured to switch between the cooling operation and the heating operation by switching the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 100a by switching the four-way valve 13. During the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the solid line arrow shown in the figure, and during the heating operation, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the broken line arrow.
That is, during the cooling operation, the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 reaches the outdoor heat exchanger 14 through the accumulator 12, is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and is sent to the electric expansion valve 15. This high-pressure refrigerant passes through the electric expansion valve 15, expands, is vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger 21, and then returns to the suction side of the compressor 11. On the other hand, during the heating operation, the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the outdoor refrigerant pipe 10, condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 21, and sent to the electric expansion valve 15. This refrigerant expands in the electric expansion valve 15 and is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 14, vaporizes in the outdoor heat exchanger 14, is sent to the accumulator 12 through the four-way valve 13, and returns to the suction side of the compressor 11. .

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an indoor unit used in the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen obliquely from below. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the indoor unit is embedded in the ceiling. Further, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor unit 2 includes a housing 20 that includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, the control device 8, and the like, and a decorative panel 30 is attached to the conditioned room side of the housing 20. It is done. In the state where the indoor unit 2 is attached to the ceiling space as shown in FIG. 3, the decorative panel 30 is located below the housing 20.

The casing 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape with an opening on the side of the conditioned room (the lower surface in FIG. 3 and the upper surface in FIG. 4).
The side surface of the housing 20 is formed by joining three substantially rectangular side plates 20a and one substantially rectangular side plate 20e. Another flat plate is interposed in the joint portion of each side plate, and these side plates constitute a substantially octagonal frame as a whole.
A knockout hole portion 20c is formed in the side plate 20a. The knockout hole portion 20c is a substantially rectangular hole that is closed by a single plate constituting the side plate 20a, and the plate that closes the hole is dropped and opened when pushed in as necessary. An opening formed by pushing the knockout hole 20c is referred to as an opening 20d.
Further, a cutout portion 20f for guiding the indoor refrigerant pipe 34 and the like connected to the indoor heat exchanger 21 in the indoor unit 2 is formed on one end side of the side plate 20e.

  The decorative panel 30 is formed in a substantially square shape in plan view, more specifically in a substantially square shape. The decorative panel covers the opening surface of the housing 20 and the ceiling opening 102. The decorative panel 30 is formed with a suction port 31 positioned substantially at the center in a plan view, and a blower outlet 32 formed in the vicinity of the four sides of the decorative panel 30 along the respective sides. Yes. The blower outlet 32 extends substantially parallel to the side plates 20a and 20e described above, and is configured to efficiently discharge air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 21 described later. Further, the inside of the housing 20 forms a closed space with the conditioned room side so that the heat-exchanged air is not blown out from outside the blower outlet 32.

  Further, a filter 33 is attached to a position corresponding to the inside of the suction port 31, that is, the back side of the ceiling 101. As a result, the indoor unit 2 sucks the air in the conditioned room from the suction port 31 into the housing 20, performs heat exchange of the air in the housing 20, and then the conditioned room from the four air outlets 32. The air is blown out in four directions.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the four outlets 32 is provided with a louver 36 that can open and close these outlets 32 and that can adjust the outlet direction when opened. The louver 36 is provided with a rotation shaft (not shown) at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft. Further, a stepping motor (not shown) is connected to one of the rotation shafts. This stepping motor is connected to the control device 8 described above by wiring. Thereby, each louver 36 can rotate independently of the operation of the other louvers 36 based on the control signal from the control device 8.

  Hanging metal fittings 103 are attached to the four corners of the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the indoor unit 2 is embedded in the ceiling hole 102 formed in a substantially square shape in the ceiling 101 of the building where the outdoor unit 1 is installed, from the conditioned room side to the back side of the ceiling 101. The suspension fitting 103 is fixedly attached to the suspension bolt 104 that hangs down from the ceiling space, thereby being suspended in the ceiling space.

  Next, the internal configuration of the housing 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. On the inner surface of the side plate 20a of the housing 20, as shown in FIG. 3, a heat insulator 23 made of polystyrene foam is provided. A motor 22 a is fixed inside the top plate of the housing 20 indicated by reference numeral 20 b, and an impeller 22 b is attached to the shaft of the motor 22 a, and these constitute the blower 22. The blower 22 sucks air in the conditioned room upward from the suction port 31 located on the lower side, and blows air sucked toward the side of the blower 22. On the side of the blower 22, an indoor heat exchanger 21 bent in a substantially square shape along the side plates 20 a, 20 e of the housing 20 so as to surround the blower 22 is placed inside the heat insulating body 23 made of polystyrene foam. Are arranged (see FIG. 4). The indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured so that air sucked from the suction port 31 by the blower 22 is supplied, and the air heat-exchanged by the indoor heat exchanger 21 is blown out from each outlet 32. That is, four air paths (air conduction paths) are generated from the blower 22 to the four outlets 32.

As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 21 arranged in the housing 20 has a shape along a substantially octagonal frame constituted by the side plates, and the surface facing the side plates 20a and 20e is flat. is there. Then, a polystyrene pan drain pan 24 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the end of the indoor heat exchanger 21. The outer periphery of the drain pan 24 is substantially in contact with the inner surface of the housing 20. The drain pan 24 is located below the indoor heat exchanger 21 in the installed state of the indoor unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, and mainly receives and stores dew condensation water (drain water) flowing down from the indoor heat exchanger 21 during the cooling operation. . A drain pump 27 is disposed in the drain pan 24 at a position corresponding to one corner of the indoor heat exchanger 21, and drain water stored in the drain pan 24 is pumped up by the drain pump 27. The drain water pumped up by the drain pump 27 is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 2 by a drain pipe 27a extending outside the housing 20 through the notch 20f.
Further, a connection pipe (refrigerant pipe) 35 (FIG. 1) extending from the indoor heat exchanger 21 passes through the notch 27f.

  The drain pan 24 is provided with a suction opening 25 and a blow-off opening 26 at positions corresponding to the suction opening 31 and the blow-out opening 32 of the decorative panel 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the suction opening 25 is formed in a substantially circular shape in plan view at the center of a drain pan 24 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Further, the blowout openings 26 are formed along the four sides of the drain pan 24, respectively. The blowout opening 26 of the drain pan 24 is located at a position corresponding to the flat portion of the indoor heat exchanger 21, and air is blown out from the blowout opening 26 through the blowout port 32 described above into the room to be conditioned.

  Furthermore, the sterilization unit 3 to which the air sterilization unit 4 and the like are attached is inserted into the opening 20d formed in the knockout hole 20c from the outside. In the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment, among the three side plates 20a constituting the casing 20 of the indoor unit 2, the one side plate 20a near the corner where the drain pump 27 is disposed is knocked out. An example in which the part 20c is opened and the sterilization unit 3 is disposed will be described.

The sterilization unit 3 includes a base plate (plate-like member) 3a that closes the opening 20d. The sterilization unit 3 is inserted into the opening 20d, and the base plate 3a and the side plate 20a are fixed. 20d is closed.
An air sterilization unit 4 is attached to the base plate 3a on the side entering the housing 20. The air sterilization unit 4 is supported by a mounting bracket 61 at a position spaced apart from the base plate 3a by a mounting bracket 61. Between the base plate 3a and the air sterilization unit 4, a foamed polystyrene is used. Insulation is provided.

The base plate 3a is provided with an electrolysis unit 5, a tap water control valve 46, a check valve 47, a circulation pump 49, an electrical board 40, and the like, which will be described later, on the side going out of the housing 20.
The sterilization unit 3 has a substantially box-shaped exterior 80 that covers the outside of the housing 20. The exterior 80 is connected to the outside of the housing 20 and accommodates each part of the sterilization unit 3 including the electrolysis unit 5, the tap water control valve 46, the check valve 47, the circulation pump 49, and the electrical board 40.

  In a state where the sterilization unit 3 is inserted into the opening 20d and fixed, the air sterilization unit 4 is positioned adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger 21. Since the air sterilization unit 4 is located outside the indoor heat exchanger 21, air blown by the blower 22 and passed through the indoor heat exchanger 21 blows onto the air sterilization unit 4. This air is sterilized by passing through the air sterilization unit 4, flows downward between the air sterilization unit 4 and the base plate 3 a, and is fed from the air outlet 32 formed in the decorative panel 30 to the conditioned room. Is blown out. As described above, the base plate 3 a is provided with a heat insulator, and the air that has passed through the air sterilization unit 4 flows downward between the heat insulator and the air sterilization unit 4. The temperature change of the air at is minimized.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the sterilization unit 3, (A) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the air sterilization unit 4, and (B) is a configuration diagram of the electrolysis unit 5.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the sterilization unit 3. In FIG. 6, for convenience of understanding, the indoor heat exchanger 21, the drain pan 24, and the drain pump 27 are illustrated, and a part of the sterilization unit 3 is schematically illustrated. In FIG. 6, the direction indicated by the arrow G is the downward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the air sterilization unit 4 is arranged on the element 41 in the installation state (FIG. 3) of the element (gas-liquid contact member) 41 with high water retention and the indoor unit 2. Dispersion dish 42 is provided. The element 41 is composed of a nonwoven fabric made of, for example, acrylic fiber or polyester fiber. The material of the element 41 is preferably a material with low reactivity to electrolyzed water. In addition to the acrylic fiber and the polyester fiber, a polyolefin resin (polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, etc.), a vinyl chloride resin, a fluorine resin (PTFE, PFA, ETFE, etc.), cellulosic materials or ceramic materials can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the affinity for the electrolyzed water is increased by subjecting the element 41 to a hydrophilic treatment. Thereby, the water retention property and wettability in the element 41 are maintained, and the air introduced into the element 41 reliably contacts the electrolyzed water.

The dispersion dish 42 causes the element 41 to drip electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolysis unit 5 described later through the electrolyzed water injection tube 51. A connection port 42 a to which the electrolytic water injection tube 51 is connected is formed on the side surface of the dispersion dish 42. In addition, a large number of holes (not shown) are formed on the bottom surface of the dispersion dish 42 for dropping electrolytic water onto the element 41 to disperse and infiltrate the element 41. Electrolyzed water is uniformly supplied to the entire element 41 by dropping electrolyzed water from the dispersion dish 42 onto the element 41.
The electrolyzed water injection tube 51 is a tube that guides the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolysis unit 5 to the dispersion dish 42.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the electrolysis unit 5 has an electrolysis tank 52 to which water such as tap water is supplied. Inside the electrolytic cell 52, at least a pair of electrodes 53a and 53b are disposed. By applying a voltage between the electrodes 53a and 53b, water is electrolyzed to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species. Let

Here, the reactive oxygen species are oxygen molecules having an oxidation activity higher than that of normal oxygen and related substances, and so-called narrow definition such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide. These active oxygens include so-called broad active oxygens such as ozone and hypohalous acid.
As described above, the electrolytic cell 52 is fixed to one surface of the base plate 3 a and is close to the element 41 disposed on the opposite surface of the base plate 3 a, so that the active oxygen is passed through the electrolyzed water injection tube 51. The electrolyzed water containing the seed can be supplied to the element 41 immediately.

  The electrodes 53a and 53b are, for example, two electrode plates having a base made of titanium (Ti) and a coating layer made of iridium (Ir) and platinum (Pt).

When a voltage is applied between the electrodes 53a and 53b, hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) and hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ) in water react at the cathode electrode as shown in the following formula (1).
4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ + (4OH ⁻ ) → 2H ₂ + (4OH ⁻ ) (1)

On the other hand, in the anode electrode (anode), water is electrolyzed as shown in the following formula (2).
2H ₂ O → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ⁻ (2)
At the same time, in the anode electrode, chlorine ions (chloride ions: Cl ⁻ ) contained in water react as shown in the following formula (3) to generate chlorine (Cl ₂ ).
2Cl ⁻ → Cl ₂ + 2e ⁻ (3)
Further, this chlorine reacts with water as shown in the following formula (4) to generate hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hydrogen chloride (HCl).
Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → HClO + HCl (4)

In this configuration, when the electrodes 53a and 53b are energized, active oxygen species such as hypochlorous acid (HClO) having a high sterilizing power are generated, and electrolyzed water containing the active oxygen species is supplied to the element 41. The In this state, by allowing air to pass through the element 41, it is possible to inactivate viruses and the like floating in the air passing through the element 41, so that the air can be sterilized. Can be prevented.
In addition, gaseous substances that are causative substances such as odors in the air also dissolve in the electrolyzed water or react with active oxygen species such as hypochlorous acid contained in the electrolyzed water when passing through the element 41. Since it is removed from the air, the element 41 can be deodorized.

Further, when a current having a predetermined current density (for example, 20 mA / cm ² or the like) is passed between the electrodes 53a and 53b, the active oxygen species having a predetermined concentration (for example, a free residual chlorine concentration of 1 mg / l or the like) is obtained by electrolysis of water. ) Can be produced. In addition, by changing this current value, it is possible to change the concentration of active oxygen species in the electrolyzed water. As a specific example, when the current value is reduced, hypochlorous acid in the electrolyzed water The concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolyzed water can be increased when the current value is increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a tap water adjustment unit 6 including a connection pipe 50, a tap water control valve 46 and a check valve 47 is connected to the upstream side of the electrolysis unit 5.
The check valve 47 is connected via a connector 59 to a tap water injection pipe (water supply pipe) 48 connected to a water source such as a water supply pipe (not shown). A tap water control valve 46 is disposed downstream of the check valve 47. The tap water control valve 46 is a valve whose opening and closing and opening degree are adjusted by control of the electrical board 40 described later. The connection pipe 50 communicating with the tap water control valve 46 reaches the electrolysis unit 5, and an amount of water corresponding to the opening degree of the tap water control valve 46 is supplied to the electrolysis unit 5.
The tap water injection pipe 48 extends to the vicinity of the casing 20 along the connection pipe 35 and the drain pipe 27a passing through the notch 20f, and is connected to the electrolysis unit 5. For this reason, when the indoor unit 2 is embedded and installed in the ceiling, connection work of the tap water injection pipe 48, the connection pipe 35, the drain pipe 27a, and the like can be performed collectively, and the labor involved in the installation can be reduced.

  Here, the water source that is located upstream of the tap water injection pipe 48 and supplies water may be city water (tap water), water stored in a water tank, or the like. In addition, the water stored in the water tank or the like may be water that contains ion species such as chloride ions in advance, such as tap water, or water with a low concentration of ion species such as well water. It may be. In the present embodiment, these are collectively referred to as water.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an electrolyzed water tray (electrolyzed water receiver) 43 is disposed below the element 41. The electrolyzed water tray 43 is a tray that receives and stores this electrolyzed water when the electrolyzed water supplied from the dispersion dish 42 to the element 41 flows down from the element 41, and the electrolyzed water is placed in the drain pan 24 on the bottom surface thereof. A leading drain pipe 44 is connected. Both ends of the electrolyzed water tray 43 are supported and fixed to the base plate 3a by mounting brackets 61 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, the element 41 is connected to the electrolyzed water tray 43 by a stay (not shown) or the like and supported by the base plate 3a.

  The electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolysis unit 5 to the air sterilization unit 4 is stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43. The electrolyzed water tray 43 is provided with a suction nozzle 49A of the circulation pump 49, and the electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43 is sucked up by the circulation pump 49 through the suction nozzle 49A, and the connection pipe 50 is To be supplied to the electrolysis unit 5.

  The drain pipe 44 connected to the lower part of the electrolyzed water tray 43 is provided with a flow control valve 45 that is an electromagnetic valve. The flow control valve 45 is opened / closed or adjusted in opening degree according to the control of the electrical board 40 described later, and the electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43 flows out to the drain pipe 44 in accordance with the opening degree of the flow control valve 45. To do. The drain pipe 44 opens above the drain pan 24, and the electrolyzed water flowing out to the drain pipe 44 flows down to the drain pan 24. Accordingly, the electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43 is discharged according to the opening degree of the flow control valve 45.

  Furthermore, the electrolyzed water tray 43 is provided with a float switch 54 that detects the level of the stored electrolyzed water. The float switch 54 is connected to the electrical board 40. When the low water level is detected by the float switch 54, that is, when the electrical board 40 falls below the water level necessary for circulating the electrolyzed water, the tap water control valve 46 is opened and tap water or the like is passed through the electrolysis unit 5. To supply.

  The electrical board 40 temporarily stores a CPU (not shown), a control program executed by the CPU, a ROM storing control data related to the control program, and programs and various data processed by the CPU. RAM. The CPU performs energization control on the electrodes 53a and 53b in the electrolysis unit 5, the opening control of the flow control valve 45, the opening control of the tap water control valve 46, the drive control of the circulation pump 49, etc. according to the control program in the ROM. Perform various controls. For example, in order for the CPU to generate electrolyzed water having a predetermined concentration in the electrolysis unit 5, a current is passed through the electrodes 53a and 53b at a current density corresponding to this concentration. For example, the CPU supplies water from the tap water injection pipe 48 to the electrolysis unit 5, adjusts the opening of the tap water control valve 46, and discharges the electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43. Accordingly, the opening degree of the flow control valve 45 is adjusted. Further, for example, the CPU drives the circulation pump 49 to circulate the electrolytic water in the electrolysis unit 5 and the air sterilization unit 4.

  Further, the CPU of the electrical board 40 is connected to the CPUs of the control devices 8 and 9 via a communication line or the like (not shown), and instructions input from the control devices 8 and 9, for example, input from the remote control device. The above control is executed according to the instruction. Thereby, for example, it is possible to supply electrolyzed water to the air sterilization unit 4 in conjunction with the cooling / heating operation of the outdoor unit 1 or independently.

  Furthermore, the electrical circuit board 40 is stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43 by driving the circulation pump 49 even when the tap water control valve 46 is closed and the supply of water from the tap water injection pipe 48 is stopped. The electrolyzed water is supplied to the electrolysis unit 5. Thereby, even if the electrolysis unit 5 is stopped, the electrolyzed water is supplied to the air sterilization unit 4, and the water can be efficiently used to save the amount of water used. Further, when the amount of electrolyzed water circulating due to evaporation or the like decreases, a low water level is detected by the float switch 54, so that the tap water control valve 46 is opened by the control of the electrical board 40, and new water is supplied to the electrolysis unit 5. To be supplied.

Further, the electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43 flows down to the drain pan 24 through the drain pipe 44 when the flow control valve 45 is opened by the control of the electrical equipment substrate 40. Here, the electrical circuit board 40 is selected and set by the user so that the electrolyzed water stored in the electrolyzed water tray 43 flows intermittently (for example, every hour) to the drain pan 24 or the drain pan 24. Can always flow down. The electrolyzed water flowing down to the drain pan 24 is drained to the outside by the drain pump 27 together with the drain water stored in the drain pan 24.
Thereby, the electrolyzed water circulating through the air sterilization unit 4 and the electrolysis unit 5 is periodically replaced with fresh electrolyzed water, and for example, the scale accumulated in the electrodes 53a and 53b of the electrolysis unit 5 can be discharged. At the same time, in the drain pan 24, electrolytic water containing active oxygen species having sterilizing power flows, so that propagation of various bacteria in the drain pan 24 is effectively suppressed, and cleanliness can be maintained.

  On the other hand, the ROM provided in the control device 9 of the indoor unit 2 stores a control program for executing the sterilization operation mode. In the sterilization operation mode, the element 41 of the air sterilization unit 4 is not arranged among the four air paths from the blower 22 located in the substantially central portion of the housing 20 to the four outlets 32. By closing the louver 36 of the air outlet 32 corresponding to the air passage and opening the louver 36 of the air outlet 32 corresponding to the air passage where the element 41 is disposed, the louver 36 is sterilized from the opened air outlet 32. This is an operation mode in which only air is blown out to the conditioned room side. According to this sterilization operation mode, since air after sterilization is blown out from one of the four outlets 32 during normal operation in this embodiment, only about ¼ of the blast volume of the blower 22 is blown. However, air after sterilization could only be blown out, but in the sterilization operation mode, by closing the three outlets 32, almost all of the air blown by the blower 22 is allowed to pass through the element 41. Can be blown out from one outlet 32.

  When the operation is performed in the sterilization operation mode, for example, the fan 22 of the blower 22 can be controlled to be weakened so that the sound blown out from the air outlet 32 is reduced. Further, when the operation is performed in the sterilization operation mode, the amount of electrolyzed water supplied to the element 41 can be increased or decreased. These controls are performed based on signals from the control devices 8 and 9.

Next, operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operation control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
When an instruction to start operation is input by a user on a remote control device (not shown), the control device 8 performs the operation in the instructed operation mode (cooling operation mode / heating operation mode) as shown in FIG. Then, the four-way valve 13 of the outdoor unit 1 is switched to the cooling side or the heating side to perform a predetermined air conditioning operation such as a cooling operation or a heating operation (S200).

  When performing the cooling operation, the control device 8 switches the four-way valve 13 to the cooling side, thereby causing the refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant circuit 100a and condensing the outdoor heat exchanger 14 as indicated by the broken line arrows shown in FIG. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is caused to function as an evaporator. Then, the blower 22 is operated so that the air in the conditioned room is sucked from the suction port 31 in the indoor unit 2 and heat is exchanged by the indoor heat exchanger 21.

  On the other hand, when performing the heating operation, the control device 8 switches the four-way valve 13 to the heating side so that the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant circuit 100a as indicated by the solid line arrows shown in FIG. Functions as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser. Then, the blower 22 is operated to cause the indoor unit 2 to suck in the air in the conditioned room from the suction port 31 and cause the indoor heat exchanger 21 to perform heat exchange.

  At the same time as the air conditioning operation is performed as described above, the control device 8 outputs an instruction to the electrical board 40, and the sterilization operation is performed by controlling the electrical board 40. That is, the electrical circuit board 40 opens the tap water control valve 46 to supply water to the electrolysis unit 5, causes electrolysis of the water in the electrolysis unit 5, and provides electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species such as hypochlorous acid. The electrolyzed water is supplied to the air sterilization unit 4 after being generated. In addition, the electrical board 40 drives the circulation pump 49 to circulate and supply the electrolyzed water in the air sterilization unit 4. Thereby, the air which passed the indoor heat exchanger 21 contacts the electrolyzed water containing an active oxygen species on the element 41, and is disinfected.

  Next, the control device 9 controls the louvers 36 of the four outlets 32 to execute the sterilization operation mode. That is, the louver 36 of the air outlet 32 corresponding to the air passage where the element 41 of the air sterilization unit 4 is not arranged is closed, and the louver 36 of the air outlet 32 corresponding to the air passage where the element 41 is arranged is opened ( S201). As a result, the air that has been cooled or heated passes through the element 41 of the air sterilization unit 4 and is then blown out from the one outlet 32 toward the conditioned room. At this time, the amount of air blown from the blower 22 is the same, so the amount of air blown from one blower outlet 32 is substantially equal to the amount of air blown from the four blower outlets 32. Therefore, compared with the case where it blows off from 4 directions, the air after disinfection of about 4 times can be blown out toward a conditioned room. When executing this sterilization operation mode, the number of rotations of the fan of the blower 22 is decreased or the amount of electrolyzed water supplied to the element 41 is increased or decreased based on signals from the control devices 8 and 9. It is also possible to appropriately perform control.

  If the predetermined time set in the ROM of the control device 9 has not elapsed, the sterilization operation mode is continued (S202). This predetermined time is about 30 minutes, and is the time required from the start of the air conditioning operation until the air inside the conditioned room is sterilized almost entirely. Naturally, this set time can be arbitrarily changed according to the size of the conditioned room and the amount of outside air entering. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has passed (S202), it is confirmed whether the air conditioning operation is a thermo-ON operation or a thermo-OFF operation (S203).

  In the case of the thermo-ON operation, since the air in the conditioned room has already been sterilized by the above-described sterilization operation mode, normal operation (operation in which air after air conditioning is blown out from the four outlets 32) is performed ( S204). On the other hand, in the case of the thermo OFF operation, since the room temperature in the conditioned room has reached the set temperature, the sterilization operation mode is continued (S205).

  The determination as to whether the thermo-ON operation or the thermo-OFF operation is performed is performed until an operation end signal is received from the user (S206), and the sterilization operation mode is always performed during the thermo-OFF operation.

  According to the ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, electrolysis generated by electrolyzing water into one of a plurality of air passages from the blower 22 to each outlet 32. The element 41 into which water is infiltrated is disposed, and the air outlet 32 corresponding to the air path where the element 41 is not disposed is closed by the louver 36, while the air outlet 32 corresponding to the air path where the element 41 is disposed is disposed. Since the sterilization operation mode opened by the louver 36 is provided, almost the entire air blown from the blower 22 can be sterilized and blown out from the blowout outlet, so that the air in the conditioned room can be sterilized quickly. Further, even when this sterilization operation mode is performed, cooling or heating operation can be performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a sterilization unit in the air passage corresponding to each outlet 32, and the cost of the entire air conditioner can be reduced.

  In addition, since the sterilization operation mode is performed until the set time (30 minutes) elapses from the start of the air conditioning operation, the air staying in the conditioned room before the operation can be sterilized more quickly. it can. In addition, since the sterilization operation mode is automatically performed, there is no trouble for the user to operate with the remote controller or the like.

  Furthermore, since the sterilization operation mode is performed when the thermostat is off, the indoor air can be sterilized effectively while the air conditioning operation is suspended. Therefore, the sterilization operation can be performed quickly without hindering the air conditioning operation that has been performed conventionally.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. .
In the present embodiment, the configuration in which one sterilization unit 3 is attached to the indoor unit 2 has been described. However, the three side plates 20a constituting the housing 20 each have a knockout hole portion 20c. It is possible to provide the sterilization unit 3 in all of the three knockout hole portions 20c. Therefore, the number of the outlets 32 opened when performing the sterilization operation mode is not limited to one, and all the outlets corresponding to the air passage to which the sterilization unit 3 is attached (three sterilization units 3 are installed. In some cases, the corresponding three outlets 32) can be opened to blow out the sterilized air. Also by this method, since almost all of the air blown out from the air outlet 32 is the air after sterilization, the air in the conditioned room can be sterilized quickly.

  In the present embodiment, the air outlet 32 is opened and closed by the louver 36. However, the air direction changing louver 36 and the air opening and closing member for opening and closing the air outlet 32 can be provided separately. In this case, the opening / closing member is configured to open and close the corresponding air outlet 32 based on signals from the control devices 8 and 9. Thereby, the blower outlet 32 can be opened and closed in accordance with various shapes and structures of the blower outlet 32.

  Furthermore, the timing for performing the sterilization operation mode is not limited to when the operation is started or when the thermo is OFF. For example, a start button for starting the sterilization operation mode may be provided on the remote controller so that it can be performed when the user desires the sterilization operation mode. According to this, for example, when a user wants to sterilize air in a conditioned room where people frequently go in and out, sterilization operation can be performed quickly.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the air conditioning apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the indoor unit from diagonally lower side. It is sectional drawing of an indoor unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of an indoor unit. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure of a disinfection unit, (A) is a perspective view which shows the structure of an air disinfection part, (B) is a block diagram of an electrolysis unit. It is a systematic diagram which shows the flow of the electrolyzed water which passes an air sanitization part. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement which performs disinfection operation mode.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outdoor unit 2 Indoor unit 3 Sterilization unit 4 Air sanitization part 5 Electrolysis unit 6 Tap water adjustment part 8, 9 Control device 13 Four-way valve 20 Case 20a Side plate 20c Knockout hole part 20d Opening part 20e Side board 20f, 27f Notch Part 21 Indoor heat exchanger 22 Blower fan 23 Heat insulator 24 Drain pan 25 Suction opening 26 Blowing opening 27 Drain pump 27a Drain pipe 30 Cosmetic panel 31 Suction port 32 Blowing outlet 33 Filter 34 Indoor refrigerant piping 35 Connecting pipe 36 Louver (opening / closing member)
40 Electric circuit board 41 Element (gas-liquid contact member)
42 Dispersion dish 43 Electrolyzed water tray 44 Drain pipe 45 Flow control valve 46 Tap water control valve 47 Check valve 48 Tap water injection pipe 49 Circulation pump 50 Connection pipe 51 Electrolyzed water injection tube 52 Electrolysis tank 54 Float switch 59 Connector 61 Mounting bracket 80 exterior 100 air conditioner

Claims (3)

A housing that houses the indoor heat exchanger and the blower, and a decorative panel that covers a ceiling opening to which the housing is attached, has a plurality of air outlets, and has an opening and closing member that can individually open and close these air outlets. In the ceiling-embedded air conditioner provided,
A gas-liquid contact member that is infiltrated with electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing water is disposed in at least one of a plurality of air passages extending from the blower to each of the air outlets. A disinfection operation mode is provided in which the air outlet corresponding to the air passage not arranged is closed by the opening and closing member while the air outlet corresponding to the air passage where the gas-liquid contact member is arranged is opened by the opening and closing member. A ceiling-embedded air conditioner characterized by   The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization operation mode is performed until a set time elapses from the start of the air conditioning operation.   The ceiling-embedded air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sterilization operation mode is performed when the thermostat is off.

Images