JP2009300003A - Air conditioner and drain water detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein, in conventional cases, even when foreign substances are accumulated inside a drain pan, the abnormal operating state cannot be detected until a drain discharge path is blocked. <P>SOLUTION: In this air conditioner, a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange with indoor air by circulating a low temperature heating medium and a drain pan for receiving drain condensed from air cooled by the heat exchanger are arranged inside an indoor unit for performing indoor air conditioning, and a drain discharge path for discharging the drain received by the drain pan to the outdoor side is provided outside the indoor unit. The air conditioner is further provided with the plurality of drain detection means dispersed horizontally and installed in one or more positions out of the heat exchanger, drain pan and drain discharge path and capable of detecting at least presence/absence of the drain and with a determination part for determining the discharge situation of the drain from the indoor unit to the outdoor side based on detection results of two or more of the plurality of drain detection means horizontally dispersed and installed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting an abnormal operation state related to drain discharge of an air conditioner.

As a conventional technique, a plurality of water level detection means are provided at different positions in the height direction in a water tray that can store drain water, and the low level water level detection means does not detect drain, and is high An air conditioner has been proposed in which when the position water level detection means detects drain, the low position drain detection means detects an abnormality. That is, the condensed water generated during the refrigeration cycle operation is received and stored in the water tray, and the water level of the condensed water stored in the water tray is detected by a plurality of condensed water level detection means set at different detection water levels, and the condensed water level detection means Equipped with a drainage mechanism that discharges condensed water to the outside according to the detected water level or periodically or according to the indoor air conditioning load, the lower water level detecting means among the condensed water level detecting means does not detect the water level, When the upper detection means detects the Ta water level for a predetermined time, it displays that the condensed water level detection means is abnormal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, by providing a plurality of water level detection means at different positions in the height direction and by providing a plurality of drain discharge paths having discharge ports at different positions in the height direction, an abnormality may occur in the drain discharge path having the lower discharge port. Even if a problem occurs, air is discharged through the drain discharge path with the higher discharge port, so an air conditioner has been proposed that can issue an alarm and prompt an action to resolve the abnormality while the air conditioner continues to operate. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-300446 (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent No. 3876745 (FIG. 4)

However, in the prior art, even if foreign matter such as dust in the drain pan or slime produced by the growth of microorganisms in the moisture accumulates, the blockage of the drain discharge path or drain discharge means causes the water level in the drain pan to be reduced. There was a problem that it could not be detected unless it was raised abnormally.

Further, the detection means for detecting the drain discharge state cannot perform multifaceted analysis on the drain discharge abnormality, and there is a problem that it is difficult to detect the abnormal state at an early stage or to estimate the abnormal part.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and the drain flows through a means for detecting the drain, such as a drain pan and a drain discharge path, which is traced from the generation of the drain to the discharge to the outside. Air conditioner and drain water detection method that enables early detection of abnormalities and estimation of abnormal locations even in cases where foreign matter such as slime accumulates in a part of the drain pan by dispersively arranging in the direction The purpose is to provide.

The air conditioner according to the present invention condenses from a heat exchanger that circulates a low-temperature heat medium to exchange heat with room air, and air that is cooled by the heat exchanger, inside a main body that performs indoor air conditioning. The drain pan that receives the drain, the drain discharge path that discharges the drain received in the drain pan from the main body, and the heat exchanger, the drain pan, and the drain discharge path are dispersed in the direction in which the drain flows and installed at multiple locations, or the heat Drains discharged from the main body based on the detection results of a plurality of drain detection means installed at a plurality of locations of the exchanger, drain pan and drain discharge path, and detecting the presence or absence of drains. A determination unit for determining the situation is provided.

According to the air conditioner according to the present invention, for example, an air conditioner and drain water that can detect abnormalities such as slime accumulated in a part of the drain pan at an early stage and estimate an abnormal location. A detection method can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB and a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA. The schematic configuration is shown in FIG. Inside the indoor unit 1 which is the main body of the air conditioner, a heat exchanger 12, a drain pan 13, a drain discharge path 14, and drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b are installed. One of the drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b is provided at a position closer to the drain discharge path than the other and more easily drained, that is, distributed in the drain flow direction. In the air conditioner, the refrigerant, which is a high-temperature and high-pressure heat medium discharged from a compressor arranged in an outdoor unit (not shown), dissipates heat to the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger and expands in the expansion valve. The refrigerant becomes a refrigerant and circulates in the refrigeration cycle to the heat exchanger 12 of the indoor unit 1 connected by piping, and after the indoor air is cooled by the heat exchanger 12, it is returned to the compressor of the outdoor unit again. In this way, the indoor air is cooled by being blown and passed by the blower 18 provided in the indoor unit through the heat exchanger 12 that is provided in the refrigeration cycle and cools the indoor air by circulating a low-temperature heat medium. The dew point is reached, and water vapor in the air condenses to produce drain 11. The drain 11 is dropped on a drain pan 13 disposed below the heat exchanger 12, and is discharged from the drain pan to the outside such as outdoors through the drain discharge path 14.

Further, the drain water level detection measuring unit 16a connected to the drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b arranged in a plurality of positions in the horizontal direction of the drain pan 13 is connected to each terminal through the drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b. The determination unit 17 that measures the drain water level of the drain pan in the detection range and is connected to the drain water level detection measurement unit 16a determines whether the water level in the drain pan of the air conditioner is in a normal operation state or an abnormal operation state from the measured data. Determine whether. The drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b are examples of ultrasonic sensors that are arranged on the upper side of the drain pan and radiate ultrasonic waves to the lower drain water side to detect a wide water level of reflection.

Next, an example of the operation will be described. FIG. 1 shows a normal operation state of the air conditioner, and FIG. 3 shows a time chart of the drain water level measured through the drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b in the normal operation state, and the time change on the horizontal axis of the water level. It is represented by 2 is a block diagram of the same air conditioner as in FIG. 1, and shows a schematic configuration with a BB cross-sectional view at the position of arrow BB and an AA cross-sectional view at the position of arrow AA. However, FIG. 4 shows an abnormal operation state in which the foreign matter deposit 19a is present in the drain pan 13, and FIG. 4 is a time chart of the drain water level measured through the drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b in the abnormal operation state in FIG. Represents. The time charts of FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described below. In the normal operation state as shown in FIG. 1, even if the air conditioner starts operation and the drain 11 is dripped from the heat exchanger 12 after a while, the drain discharge from the drain discharge path 14 is performed. In both the water level detection terminals 15a and 15b, the water level does not change greatly. On the other hand, in the abnormal operation state as shown in FIG. 2, when the air conditioner starts operation and the drain 11 is dripped after a while, the drain discharge upstream from the deposit 19a due to foreign matters such as slime is inhibited, Only the drain water level measured from the drain water level detection terminal 15a upstream from the deposit 19a rises. After that, when the difference between the drain water levels measured from the drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b becomes larger than a predetermined value (ΔHsh) set in advance for warning, the determination unit connected to the measurement unit 17, it is determined that foreign matter is accumulated in the drain pan.

Thus, the abnormal operation state in which foreign matter accumulates in a part of the drain pan 13 due to the effect of the present invention is detected earlier than the drain discharge path 14 is blocked or the drain 11 leaks from the drain pan 13. Is possible.

1 and 2 show the case where the drain water level is measured without contact with the drain 11 using an ultrasonic sensor that emits ultrasonic waves from the drain water level detection terminals 15a and 15b. As shown in FIG. 5, the drain water level detection terminals 15c and 15d are arranged in contact with the drain 11, and the drain water level detection terminals 15c and 15d are connected to the drain water level detection measuring unit 16a. Then, the drain water level may be detected from the change in the measurement amount such as the capacitance and the electrical conductivity in the detection range around the drain water level detection terminal 15.

In addition, when using the electrostatic capacitance type sensor which measures the electrostatic capacitance around the drain water level detection terminals 15c and 15d in the drain water level detection measuring unit 16a, if the drain pan 13 is a thin nonconductor, the drain water level is detected. Since the water terminals can be detected by installing the service terminals 15c and 15d on the outer wall side of the drain pan 13 (FIG. 6), it is possible to reduce the installation cost when installing in an existing air conditioner.

In addition, when the drain water level detection terminal 15 is added, the ultrasonic sensor is provided with an ultrasonic oscillator for each drain water level detection terminal 15. In the sensor, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the drain water level detection terminal 15 includes a conductor electrode 202, a non-conductor 201 covering the electrode 202, and a conductive wire 203 that connects the electrode 202 to the drain water level detection measuring unit 16a. Can be added at low cost.

In addition, in the case of using a capacitance type sensor, the relationship between the capacitance around the drain water level detection terminals 15c and 15d and the water level is due to aging deterioration of the electrodes, changes in water quality, etc. The initial characteristics may vary. FIG. 9 shows the characteristics of the water level and the capacitance when the drain water level detection terminals 15c and 15d are constituted by one electrode 202 as shown in FIG. As can be seen from this figure, even if the actual water level is the same, if the relationship between the capacitance and the water level changes, the value of the water level measured by the drain water level detection measuring unit 16a changes, and the operation becomes unstable. Can be.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the electrodes of the drain water level detection terminals 15c and 15d are configured by arranging a plurality of electrodes short in the water level direction so as not to contact each other, as shown in FIG. For example, when the electrostatic capacity around the electrode 202e exceeds a predetermined value (Csh) and the electrostatic capacity around the electrodes 202a to 202d above the predetermined value (Csh) is less than the predetermined value (Csh), When the water level is calculated as ΔH, as can be seen from the characteristic diagram of the water level and the capacitance in FIG. 10, the gradient of the portion where the capacitance changes depending on the water level increases, and the change in the characteristics due to deterioration over time is The effect on the measured water level is reduced and operation is more stable.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of another air conditioner of the present invention. Inside the indoor unit 1, a heat exchanger 12, a drain pan 13, a drain discharge path 14, and drain presence / absence detection terminals 15 e and 15 f that detect the presence / absence of drain in the detection range are installed. As the air passes through the heat exchanger 12, the air is cooled and reaches a dew point, and water vapor in the air is condensed to generate a drain 11 in the heat exchanger 12. The drain 11 is dropped on a drain pan 13 disposed below, and is discharged from the main body 1 to the outside through the drain discharge path 14.

Further, the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15e is installed in the heat exchanger 12, and the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f is installed in the drain discharge path 14. In this way, the components for arranging the drain detection means such as the heat exchanger and the discharge path are changed and dispersed. Further, the drain presence / absence detection measuring unit 16b is connected to the drain presence / absence detection terminals 15e and 15f, and measures capacitance or electric conductivity in the detection range of each terminal through the drain presence / absence detection terminals 15e and 15f. Therefore, the presence or absence of drain is measured. The determination unit 17 connected to the drain presence / absence detection measuring unit 16b determines whether the water level in the drain pan of the air conditioner is in a normal operation state or an abnormal operation state from the measured data.

Next, an example of the operation will be described by taking as an example the case where the drain presence / absence detection measuring unit 16b measures the capacitance of the detection ranges of the drain presence / absence detection terminals 15c and 15d. FIG. 11 shows a normal operation state of the air conditioner, and FIG. 13 shows a time chart of capacitance measured through the drain presence / absence detection terminals 15e and 15f in the normal operation state. FIG. 12 shows an abnormal operation state when the drain discharge path 14 is clogged with the foreign matter 19b. FIG. 14 shows the capacitance measured through the drain presence / absence water level detection terminals 15e and 15f in the abnormal operation state. Represents a time chart.

The time charts of FIGS. 13 and 14 will be described below. In the normal operation state as shown in FIG. 11, the air conditioner starts operation, and after a while, the drain 11 is generated in the heat exchanger 12, and the capacitance of the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15e is constant. It changes more than the amount, and dripping of the drain 11 is confirmed. Next, after a certain amount of time, the drain 11 reaches the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f in the drain discharge path 14 via the drain pan 13, so that the capacitance detected by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f is increased. Change.

On the other hand, in the abnormal operation state as shown in FIG. 12, the air conditioner starts operation, and after a while, the drain 11 is generated in the heat exchanger 12, and the electrostatic capacitance in the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15e. Even if the capacity changes by a certain amount or more and the dripping of the drain 11 is confirmed, the drain 11 does not reach the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f by the obstruction 19b due to foreign matter such as slime. The capacitance detected by 15f does not change.

The time from when drain dripping is started until the drain 11 reaches the drain discharge path 14 is generally predictable to some extent from the design, although it varies depending on the design. Accordingly, the capacitance value detected by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15e is changed by a certain amount or more, the elapsed time ΔT after the drain dripping is confirmed is measured, and the static range of the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f is measured. When the elapsed time ΔT exceeds a predetermined value (ΔTsh) set in advance for alarm before the electric capacity changes by a certain amount or more, the determination unit 17 connected to the measurement unit causes the drain discharge route. Determined as occluded.

As described above, the abnormal operation state in which the drain discharge path 14 is blocked by the effect of the present invention can be detected earlier than the water level in the drain pan 13 greatly increases.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of another air conditioner of the present invention. In this configuration, a plurality of drain presence / absence detection terminals 15f and 15g are distributed and installed in the drain discharge path 14 in the direction in which the drain flows.

In this configuration, for example, an operation when a foreign object is clogged between the drain presence / absence detection terminals 15f and 15g as shown in FIGS. The air conditioner starts operation, and after a while, the drain 11 is generated in the heat exchanger 12, the capacitance of the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15e changes by a certain amount or more, and the dripping of the drain 11 is confirmed. Is done. Next, after a certain amount of time, the drain 11 reaches the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f in the drain discharge path 14 via the drain pan 13, so that the capacitance detected by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f is increased. A certain amount or more is changed, and it is confirmed that the drain 11 has reached the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f.

However, since the drain 11 does not reach the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g due to the obstruction 19b due to foreign matter such as slime, the capacitance detected by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g does not change.

In a normal state, the time from when the drain 11 reaches the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f to the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g varies depending on the design, but is generally predictable to some extent from the design. It is. Therefore, the elapsed time ΔT2 from when it is confirmed that the capacitance detected by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f changes by a certain amount or more and the drain reaches the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15f is measured, When the elapsed time ΔT2 exceeds a predetermined value (ΔTsh) set in advance for alarm, for example, 10 minutes, before the capacitance detected by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g changes by a certain amount or more, The determination unit 17 connected to the measurement unit determines that the drain discharge path is blocked between the detection ranges of the drain presence / absence detection terminals 15f and 15g.

In this way, it is possible to narrow down the location of the foreign matter that closes the drain discharge path 14, and it is possible to improve maintainability.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of another air conditioner of the present invention. Inside the indoor unit 1, a heat exchanger 12, a drain pan 13, a drain discharge path 14, a drain water level detection terminal 15a, and a drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g are installed. As the air passes through the heat exchanger 12, the air is cooled and reaches the dew point, and water vapor in the air is condensed to generate the drain 11. The drain 11 drops on a drain pan 13 disposed below, and is discharged to the outside through the drain discharge path 14.

In addition, the detection measurement unit 16 c connected to the drain water level detection terminal 15 a measures the drain water level in the detection range of the terminal through the drain water level detection terminal 15 a and sends the measurement result to the determination unit 17. The drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g is installed in the drain discharge path 14, and the detection measurement unit 16d is connected to the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g, and measures the capacitance or electric conductivity in the detection range of the terminal. Then, the presence or absence of drain is measured, and the measurement result is sent to the determination unit 17. The determination unit 17 determines whether the water level in the drain pan of the air conditioner is in a normal operation state or an abnormal operation state from the measurement results sent from the detection measurement units 16c and 16d.

Next, an example of the operation will be described by taking as an example the case where the detection measuring unit 16d measures the capacitance in the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g. FIG. 17 shows a normal operation state of the air conditioner. FIG. 21 shows a time chart of the drain water level measured through the drain water level detection terminal 15a and a static state measured through the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g in the normal operation state. The time chart of electric capacity is shown. 18 shows an abnormal operation state in which the foreign matter deposit 19a is present in the drain discharge path 14, and FIG. 19 shows a case where the drain discharge path 14 is clogged upstream from the drain presence detection terminal 15g by the foreign matter 19b. FIG. 20 shows the abnormal operation state when the drain discharge path 14 is clogged downstream from the drain presence detection terminal 15g by the foreign matter 19b. 22, FIG. 23, and FIG. 24 are respectively a time chart of the drain water level measured through the drain water level detection terminal 15a and the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g in the abnormal operation state of FIG. 18, FIG. 19, and FIG. It represents a time chart of the measured capacitance.

The time charts of FIGS. 21 to 24 will be described below. In the normal operation state as shown in FIG. 17, the air conditioner starts operation, and after a while, the drain 11 is dripped, and after a certain period of time, the drain 11 reaches the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g. The capacitance detected by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g changes. At this time, since the water level of the drain pan is considered to be a normal water level, the normal water level Hn of the drain pan can be learned using the output of the drain water level detection terminal 15a at this time. (FIG. 21).

Note that the elapsed time ΔT3 after the presence of the drain 11 in the detection range is confirmed by the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g, and ΔT3 is a predetermined value (ΔTsh2: for initial learning) set in advance for initial learning. If the normal water level Hn is learned when the threshold value is exceeded, the possibility of erroneous learning is further reduced, and more stable operation is possible.

In addition, normal state learning is performed at an early stage, which is estimated to be normal state with high probability, and once it has been learned, it should not be updated unless a learning instruction is given again with a reset button or the like. May be.

On the other hand, in the abnormal operation state as shown in FIG. 18, when the air conditioner starts operation and the drain 11 is dripped after a while, the drain discharge upstream from the deposit 19 a due to foreign matters such as slime is inhibited, The drain water level measured from the drain water level detection terminal 15a rises. In addition, after the start of drain dripping, the capacitance of the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g changes with a certain time difference. Thereafter, when the water level measured from the drain water level detection terminal 15a exceeds a value obtained by adding a normal water level (Hn) to a predetermined value (ΔHsh) set in advance for alarming, determination to be connected to the measurement unit It is determined by the unit 17 that foreign matter has accumulated in the drain pan or that the drain discharge path 14 is blocked downstream of the drain presence detection means 15g.

Furthermore, after that, when the time during which the drain water level measured from the drain water level detection terminal 15a becomes a substantially constant value exceeds a predetermined value (ΔTsh3: threshold for steady state determination), the determination unit 17 makes the water level steady. It is determined that it has reached, and the abnormal operation state is determined as foreign matter accumulation in the drain pan (FIG. 22).

Further, in the abnormal operation state as shown in FIG. 19, when the air conditioner starts operation and the drain 11 is dropped after a while, the obstruction 19b of the drain discharge path 14 causes the detection range of the drain water level detection terminal 15a. Although the drain water level rises, since the obstruction 19b is on the upstream side of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g, the drain does not reach the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g, and the capacitance does not change. While the capacitance of the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g is not changed, the normal water level (Hn) is set to a predetermined value (ΔHsh) in which the water level measured from the drain water level detection terminal 15a is set in advance for warning. When the added value is exceeded, the determination unit 17 connected to the measurement unit determines that the drain discharge path 14 is blocked upstream of the drain presence detection means 15g (FIG. 23).

Also, in the abnormal operation state as shown in FIG. 20, when the air conditioner starts operation and the drain 11 is dripped after a while, the obstruction 19b of the drain discharge path 14 causes the detection range of the drain water level detection terminal 15a. Drain water level rises. In addition, after the start of drain dripping, the capacitance of the detection range of the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g changes with a certain time difference. Thereafter, when the water level measured from the drain water level detection terminal 15a exceeds a value obtained by adding a normal water level (Hn) to a predetermined value (ΔHsh) set in advance for alarming, determination to be connected to the measurement unit The part 17 determines that the foreign matter is accumulated in the drain pan or the drain discharge path 14 is blocked downstream of the drain presence detecting means 15g (FIG. 24).

As described above, the drain water level detection terminal 15a may be an ultrasonic sensor terminal, a type that measures capacitance, or a type that measures electrical conductivity. Moreover, when the measured quantity is the same for the drain water level detection terminal 15a and the drain presence / absence detection terminal 15g, the detection measurement unit can be made common, so that it can be introduced at a lower cost.

As described above, due to the effect of the present invention, an abnormal operation state in which foreign matter accumulates in a part of the drain pan 13 is detected earlier than the drain discharge path 14 is blocked or the drain 11 leaks from the drain pan 13. It becomes possible.

In addition, due to the effect of the present invention, even when the drain discharge path 14 is blocked, it is possible to reliably detect an abnormality and to narrow down the location of the blocked object 19b.

As described above, the present invention condenses from the heat exchanger that circulates a low-temperature heat medium to exchange heat with room air and the air that is cooled by the heat exchanger inside the indoor unit that performs indoor air conditioning. An air conditioner having a drain discharge path for discharging the drain received by the drain pan to the outside of the indoor unit, including a heat exchanger, a drain pan, and a drain discharge path. , Among a plurality of drain detection means arranged in a horizontal direction, at least one drain detection means capable of detecting the presence or absence of drain, and a plurality of drain detection means arranged in a horizontal direction at one or more positions, Based on the detection results at two or more locations, a determination unit that determines the state of drain discharge from the indoor unit to the outside is provided, so that it is possible to detect an abnormality with high reliability that can reliably detect an abnormality.

The air conditioner of the present invention further includes a cooling unit that cools the low-temperature heat medium, and a cooling operation time measuring unit that measures a cooling operation time that is an elapsed time from the start of cooling. Since the drain discharge state from the indoor unit to the outdoor is determined based on the detection results at two or more locations of the plurality of drain detection means distributed in the direction and the cooling operation time, the abnormality can be reliably detected. Anomaly detection with high reliability is possible.

The detection results at two or more locations of the plurality of drain detection means distributed in the horizontal direction, which are used for the determination in the determination section of the present invention, are obtained from two drain detection means that are in an upstream and downstream relationship with respect to the drain flow. Since the detection result is included, it is possible to detect the abnormality with high reliability so that the abnormality can be reliably detected.

According to the determination unit of the present invention, the discharge state of the drain from the indoor unit to the outdoor is normal based on the detection results at two or more locations of the plurality of drain detection means distributed in the horizontal direction and the cooling operation time. In some cases, the output results of each of the plurality of drain detection means are stored, so that accurate detection is possible.

The determination unit of the present invention is based on the detection results at two or more locations of the plurality of drain detection means arranged in the horizontal direction and the output results in the normal state of each of the plurality of drain detection means. Since the discharge state of the drain to the outside is determined, it is possible to detect the abnormality with high reliability that can reliably detect the abnormality.

The determination unit of the present invention can detect abnormal operation states of foreign matter accumulation in the drain pan, foreign matter accumulation in the drain discharge path, and clogging of the drain discharge path, and one or more of these abnormal operation states are detected. Since the possibility is specified and discriminated, detection with high accuracy is possible.

Since the determination unit of the present invention estimates the occurrence location of the abnormal operation state based on the detection results of the plurality of drain detection means dispersedly arranged in the horizontal direction, accurate detection is possible.

Since the air conditioner of the present invention includes a notification unit that notifies a warning based on the determination result of the determination unit, an apparatus that can be used for various purposes and is easy to use is obtained.

Since at least one of the plurality of drain detection means of the present invention has an electrode coated with an insulator and can detect the presence or absence of drain by measuring the capacitance around the electrode, a simple structure A user-friendly device can be obtained.

In the present invention, at least one of the plurality of drain detection means distributed in the horizontal direction is disposed in the drain pan, and can detect the presence or absence of drain and can detect the drain water level in the drain pan. A high air conditioner can be obtained.

According to the present invention, at least one of the drain detecting means capable of detecting the water level of the drain in the drain pan has an electrode coated with an insulator, and by measuring the capacitance around the electrode, Because it is possible to detect the water level of the drain, an inexpensive and easy-to-use air conditioner can be obtained.

In the present invention, at least one of the drain detecting means capable of detecting the water level of the drain in the drain pan has electrodes arranged in the water level direction without being in contact with each other and coated with an insulator, and each of the plurality of electrodes. By measuring the electrostatic capacity, it is possible to detect the water level of the drain in the drain pan, so that an inexpensive and accurate detection device can be obtained.

1 is a main configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of the air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a time chart under specific conditions of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a time chart under specific conditions of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a component configuration diagram according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is another component configuration diagram according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram of the component according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of another component according to the first embodiment. The main block diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a time chart under specific conditions of another air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a time chart under specific conditions of another air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a time chart under specific conditions of another air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The main block diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. The abnormal operation state schematic diagram of another air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a time chart under specific conditions of another air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a time chart under specific conditions of another air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a time chart under specific conditions of another air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a time chart under specific conditions of another air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit, 11 Drain, 12 Heat exchanger, 13 Drain pan, 14 Drain discharge path, 15a-15d Drain water level detection terminal, 15e-g Drain existence detection terminal, 16a Drain water level detection measurement part, 16b Drain existence detection Measurement unit, 16c to 16d detection measurement unit, 17 determination unit, 18 blower, 19a deposit due to foreign matter, 19b obstruction due to foreign matter, 201 nonconductor, 202 electrode, 202a to 202e electrode, 203 lead, 203a to 203e lead .

Claims (11)

A heat exchanger that circulates a low-temperature heat medium and exchanges heat with room air inside a main body that performs indoor air conditioning, and a heat exchanger that receives drain condensed from air cooled by the heat exchanger. A drain pan disposed at a lower portion, a drain discharge path for discharging drain received by the drain pan to the outside of the main body, and at least one of the heat exchanger, the drain pan, and the drain discharge path in a direction in which the drain flows. A plurality of drain detection means for detecting the presence or absence of drains, which are dispersed and installed at a plurality of locations, or installed at a plurality of locations in the heat exchanger, the drain pan, and the drain discharge path, and the plurality of drain detections. An air conditioner comprising: a determination unit that determines a discharge state of drain discharged from the main body based on a detection result of the means. The said determination part measures the time after the said drain detection means detects that drain exists, and determines the discharge | emission condition of the drain discharged | emitted from the said main body based on this time. The air conditioner according to 1. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of drain detection units are distributed in a direction in which the drain flows in the drain pan or the drain discharge path and are installed at a plurality of locations. The plurality of drain detection means are installed at at least two of the heat exchanger, the drain pan, and the drain discharge path, respectively. Air conditioner. The determination unit determines a discharge state of the drain from the main body to the outside based on a detection result of the plurality of drain detection units and an output result in a normal state of each of the plurality of drain detection units. The air conditioner according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by. The determination unit can detect abnormal operation states such as foreign matter accumulation in the drain pan, foreign matter accumulation in the drain discharge path, clogging of the drain discharge path, etc., and one or more abnormal operation states of these abnormal operation states are possible. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air conditioner is discriminated. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit estimates an occurrence location of the abnormal operation state based on detection results of the plurality of drain detection units. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a warning based on a determination result of the determination unit. At least one of the plurality of drain detection means has one or more electrodes coated with an insulator, and can detect the presence or absence of drain by measuring the capacitance around the electrodes. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of drain detection means is capable of detecting the presence or absence of drain and detecting the water level of the drain in the drain pan. . A heat exchanger that circulates a low-temperature heat medium in the main body to exchange heat with room air, a drain pan that receives drain condensed from air cooled by the heat exchanger, and a drain that is received by the drain pan A drain discharge path that discharges the outside of the main body, and a drain detection means that is installed in at least one of the heat exchanger, the drain pan, and the drain discharge path, and detects the presence or absence of drain. A drain water detection method comprising: a plurality of detection steps for detecting presence / absence of drain by a plurality of drain detection means dispersedly arranged in a direction in which the drain flows; and a detection order of the drain detection means or an interval time for detection And a determination step of determining a drain discharge state at a drain water detection method.

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