JP2013036720A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner that can be easily assembled with a reduced number of components necessary for the assembly of a control circuit unit.SOLUTION: The air conditioner includes: a heating heater, a circuit board for controlling the heating heater; a board holder for holding the circuit board; a heat sink for dissipating heat of the circuit board; and a circuit unit fixing part for holding the heat sink or the board holder. The circuit holder, the heat sink, and the circuit unit holding part are integrally molded.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a heater and a control element for the heater.

  The air conditioner is configured as an integrated type in which an indoor part arranged indoors is installed at the front part and an outdoor part arranged outside the room is installed at the rear part. A compressor for operating the refrigeration cycle is arranged inside the outdoor. An outdoor heat exchanger connected to the compressor is disposed on the rear surface of the outdoor side, and an outdoor fan that cools the outdoor heat exchanger against the outdoor heat exchanger is provided.

  A suction port opens on the front surface of the indoor portion, and a blower outlet opens above the suction port. A blower passage is formed in the indoor portion by a blower duct connecting the suction port and the blower outlet, and an indoor fan is provided in the blower passage. An indoor heat exchanger connected to the compressor via a refrigerant pipe is disposed between the indoor fan and the suction port. A PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater is disposed between the indoor fan and the indoor heat exchanger.

  When the heating operation is started, the refrigeration cycle is operated by driving the compressor. Thereby, the indoor heat exchanger becomes a condenser on the high temperature side of the refrigeration cycle, and the outdoor heat exchanger becomes an evaporator on the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle. The outdoor heat exchanger absorbs heat by exchanging heat with the outside air by driving an outdoor fan. Indoor air flows into the air passage from the suction port by driving the indoor fan, and the temperature is raised by exchanging heat with the indoor heat exchanger. Further, the temperature in the air passage is further increased by driving the PTC heater. The heated air is sent into the room through the outlet and the room is heated.

  The PTC heater is formed by sandwiching a heating element having PTC characteristics between electrodes, and is driven by applying a voltage between the electrodes. When the heating element exceeds the Curie point, the resistance value increases rapidly, and the current value and the heat generation amount decrease. Thereby, the calorific value of the PTC heater can be stabilized and hot air at a predetermined temperature can be easily generated, and overheating can be prevented.

  At this time, since the PTC heater is at a low temperature when starting, the resistance value of the heating element is low, and an overcurrent may flow and exceed the power supply capacity. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a control method for monitoring the current flowing through the PTC heater at the start and controlling the drive of the PTC heater so as not to exceed the power capacity. That is, the PTC heater is DUTY controlled by a control circuit using a triac element, and is driven by gradually increasing the DUTY ratio at the time of starting. Thereby, an overcurrent at the start of the PTC heater is prevented.

JP 2003-59623 A

  However, in the control circuit unit, the resin substrate holder, the aluminum heat sink, and the resin circuit unit fixing portion are separate components. Since the circuit unit fixing part and the substrate holder made of different materials are assembled and fixed to the heat sink, the assembling is not easy, and the assembling takes time. Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that can reduce the number of parts for assembling a control circuit unit, facilitate assembly, and reduce costs. To do.

  In order to solve the above problems, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a heater, a circuit board that controls the heater, a board holder that holds the circuit board, a heat sink that radiates heat from the circuit board, and a heat sink or board holder. And a circuit unit fixing portion for holding the substrate unit, and the substrate holder, the heat sink, and the circuit unit fixing portion are integrally formed of a heat conductive resin.

  According to the present invention, the number of parts of the control circuit unit can be reduced, the assembling can be simplified, and the assembling time can be shortened.

The perspective view which shows the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention. The disassembled perspective view which shows the control circuit unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention. The upper surface sectional view showing the attachment state of the heat sink of the embodiment of the present invention, the substrate holder, and the circuit unit fixed part. The front view which shows the attachment state of the heat sink, board | substrate holder, and circuit unit fixing | fixed part of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the control circuit unit of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention. The side sectional view showing the attachment state of the heat sink of the 1st embodiment of the present invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of the heat sink of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of the heat sink of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is detail drawing of the injection method of the molding material of this invention and a comparative example. (A) Detailed view of the injection method of the present invention. (B) The detail of the injection method of a comparative example. The circuit diagram at the time of using the thermoelectric conversion element of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic structure figure at the time of using the thermoelectric conversion element of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. (A) Top view. (B) Side view. The flowchart at the time of using the thermoelectric conversion element of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.1, FIG.2, FIG.3 is the perspective view, side sectional drawing, and front view which show the air conditioner of one Embodiment. 1 and 3 show a state in which the exterior cover 30 (see FIG. 2) is removed. The air conditioner 1 is configured as an integrated type having an indoor part 2 arranged indoors and an outdoor part 4 arranged adjacent to the indoor part 2 and outdoor.

  A suction port 21 is provided in front of the indoor portion 2, and an outdoor heat exchanger 42 is provided in front of the outdoor portion 4. In the following description, the inlet 21 side is referred to as the front side, and the outdoor heat exchanger 42 side is referred to as the rear side (back side). Moreover, the right side and the left side when facing the suction port 21 are referred to as the right side and the left side of the air conditioner 1.

  The indoor part 2 and the outdoor part 4 are installed on the bottom plate 3 and separated by a partition wall 5 in the front-rear direction. The indoor portion 2 forms a housing 20 surrounded on the outside by the bottom plate 3, the partition wall 5 and the exterior cover 30. An electrical component box 31 in which electrical components are arranged is provided at the right end in the housing 20. Similarly, the exterior 4 forms a casing 40 surrounded by the bottom plate 3, the partition wall 5, and an exterior cover (not shown).

  A compressor 41 that operates the refrigeration cycle is disposed at the right end of the outdoor unit 4. An outdoor heat exchanger 42 connected to the compressor 41 via the refrigerant pipe 47 is disposed on the back surface of the outdoor exterior 4. The outdoor fan 43 made up of a propeller fan is arranged in the center in the left-right direction so as to face the outdoor heat exchanger 42 and cools the outdoor heat exchanger 42. The outdoor fan 43 and the outdoor heat exchanger 42 are disposed in a housing 44 supported by the partition wall 5 via a bracket 45. The housing 44 forms a duct that guides the airflow from the outdoor fan 43 to the outdoor heat exchanger 42.

  A suction port 21 is opened on the front surface of the exterior cover 30 that covers the indoor portion 2, and an air outlet 22 is opened above the suction port 21. A blower passage 23 that connects the inlet 21 and the outlet 22 is provided in the indoor portion 2. The back and side surfaces of the air passage 23 are formed by an inner wall 24 attached on the bottom plate 3. The lower wall of the air passage 23 near the air outlet 22 is formed by a detachable duct member 29 when the exterior cover 30 is removed. The duct member 29 is attached with a louver 26 that changes the air direction of the air outlet 22. The indoor air is sucked from the suction port 21 in the suction direction A by the drive of the indoor fan, is heat-exchanged by the indoor heat exchanger 27, passes through the blower passage 23, and is blown from the outlet 22 in the blow-out direction B. , Sent out indoors.

  An indoor fan 25 composed of a cross flow fan extending in the left-right direction is provided in the air passage 23. Between the indoor fan 25 and the suction port 21, an indoor heat exchanger 27 connected to the compressor 41 via the refrigerant pipe 47 is disposed to face the suction port 21. The indoor heat exchanger 27 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the indoor fan 25 with substantially the same width as the indoor fan 25. Below the indoor heat exchanger 27, a drain pan 32 for collecting the condensed water of the indoor heat exchanger 27 and draining it outside is disposed. The drain pan 32 extends below a control circuit unit 50 described later, and collects dew condensation water generated from the control circuit unit 50.

  A heater unit 28 is disposed between the indoor fan 25 and the indoor heat exchanger 27. The heater unit 28 is held by an angle 80 screwed to a side surface (not shown) of the middle wall 24. The upper part of the indoor heat exchanger 27 and the heater unit 28 is covered with a duct member 29. By removing the screw for attaching the angle 80 and removing the duct member 29, the heater unit 28 can be attached and detached from above.

  The heater unit 28 is formed by stacking a PTC heater 28a sandwiching a semiconductor element between electrodes and a honeycomb-shaped honeycomb fin 28b. The PTC heater 28a as a heater is shorter in the longitudinal direction than the indoor fan 25, and a space 33 is formed in the air passage 23 on the right side of the PTC heater 28a. A terminal portion 28 c of the heater unit 28 is disposed in the space portion 33.

  A control circuit unit 50 having a triac element 52 for controlling the PTC heater 28a is disposed behind the terminal portion 28c. The circuit unit fixing part 78 is fitted into an opening (not shown) of the inner wall 24. Then, a screw is inserted into a through hole 78 a provided at the upper and lower ends of the circuit unit fixing portion 78, and is screwed to the screw portion 80 a of the angle 80. Thereby, the control circuit unit 50 is attached and fixed to the inner wall 24.

  At this time, the substrate holder 60 including the triac element 52 is disposed adjacent to the outside of the air passage 23. The heat sink 70 that is in close contact with the triac element 52 protrudes into the air passage 23 and is disposed between the indoor fan 25 and the indoor heat exchanger 27 that are outside in the longitudinal direction with respect to the PTC heater 28a. The PTC heater 28a is DUTY controlled by the triac element 52, and is driven by gradually increasing the DUTY ratio at the time of starting. Thereby, the overcurrent at the time of starting of the PTC heater 28a can be prevented.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the control circuit unit 50. The configuration of the control circuit unit 50 includes a circuit board 51, a lid 68 and a heat sink assembly 81. The heat sink assembly 81 includes a heat sink 70, a circuit unit fixing part 78, and a substrate holder 60. In injection molding, the molten heat conducting resin is put into a mold and molded integrally. The triac element 52 is mounted on the circuit board 51 and disposed in a cup-shaped board holder 60 made of a resin molded product. The opening surface of the substrate holder 60 is closed by a lid portion 68 made of a resin molded product.

  Then, as indicated by an arrow C1, a screw 57 is inserted into a through hole 52a provided in the upper portion of the triac element 52 and screwed into a screw hole 74 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the triac element 52 is fixed in close contact with the heat sink 70. Next, the opening surface of the substrate holder 60 is closed by the lid 68 as shown by an arrow C2. On the inner surface of the lid portion 68, a storage portion 68 a that extends up and down facing the opening 65 of the substrate holder 60 is recessed. As an example of the heat conductive resin, there is a model number LNP * Conduit * Compound PX08321 manufactured by SABIC Innovative Plastics Holding BV. The thermal conductivity is 2.6 to 10 W / m-K as tested by ASTM E1461 test method.

  5 and 6 are a top sectional view and a front view of the heat sink assembly 81 showing a state where the substrate holder 60, the heat sink 70, and the circuit unit fixing portion 78 are attached. In order to make it easy to distinguish the circuit unit fixing portion 78, it is shown by hatching. The heat sink 70 has a plurality of fins 71 protruding from one surface.

  The substrate holder 60 and the heat sink 70 are integrally molded on the opposing surfaces 60a and 70a of the substrate holder 60 and the heat sink 70. A groove portion 72 having a U-shaped cross section extending in the vertical direction is recessed in the bottom surface of the facing surface 60a. A screw hole 74 is provided in the upper part of the bottom surface of the groove portion 72.

  In the substrate holder 60, a window portion 64 is opened above the surface 60 a facing the heat sink 70. A plurality of L-shaped ribs 62 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the substrate holder 60.

  Next, the circuit board 51 is placed on the rib 62 in the board holder 60. The terminal 52 b of the triac element 52 is bent, and the triac element 52 is arranged in parallel to the circuit board 51. The triac element 52 is fitted into the groove portion 72 of the heat sink 70 through the window portion 64.

  At this time, since the triac element 52 is fitted into the groove 72 of the heat sink 70, the rotation of the triac element 52 due to the tightening of the screw 57 is prevented. In addition, a concave portion 51a is formed at the upper end of the circuit board 51 so as to expose the through hole 52a by cutting out a portion facing the through hole 52a. The triac element 52 is fixed by a screw 57 through the recess 51a. For this reason, the planar protrusion amount of the triac element 52 from the circuit board 51 can be reduced. Therefore, since the substrate holder 60 and the heat sink 70 are integrated, the triac element 52 can be reliably fixed to the heat sink 70. Note that the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 5 indicates the height at which the molding material 58 is injected.

  When the triac element 52 is attached to the heat sink 70, the substrate holder 60 is filled with a molding material 58 made of a resin such as urethane. The circuit board 51 and the triac element 52 are molded by hardening the molding material 58, and the circuit board 51 is fixed. A method of injecting the molding material 58 will be described with reference to FIG. The molding material 58 prevents the condensed water from adhering to the circuit board 51 and the triac element 52 when the low temperature air contacts the heat sink 70 during the cooling operation and condensation occurs in the substrate holder 60 due to the mold. it can.

  FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the control circuit unit 50. The control circuit unit 50 includes a heat sink assembly 81 and a lid 68. The triac element 52 is mounted on the circuit board 51 and disposed in a cup-shaped board holder 60 made of a resin molded product.

  Next, the opening surface of the substrate holder 60 is closed by the lid 68. On the inner surface of the lid portion 68, a storage portion 68 a that extends vertically is opposed to an opening (not shown) of the substrate holder 60. By arranging a lead wire (not shown) in the storage portion 68a, the radius of curvature when the lead wire is bent can be increased. Thereby, breakage of the lead wire can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to prevent the lead wire from shifting in the left-right direction.

  In the present invention, the number of parts of the control circuit unit 50 can be reduced, the assembly is simplified, and the assembly time can be shortened.

  8, 9, and 10 are side cross-sectional views showing the heat sink mounting state of the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention. The cross section of the control circuit unit 50 shows the shape of the cross section at the fin 71 of the heat sink 70.

  In FIG. 8, a plurality of fins 71 of the heat sink 70 are provided in parallel to the indoor heat exchanger 27 (vertical direction with respect to the paper surface). The indoor air sucked from the suction port 21 in the suction direction A flows toward the rotating shaft 25a of the indoor fan 25 as in the direction E, passes through the blower passage 23, and blows out from the outlet 22 in the blow direction B. It is sent out indoors.

  9 is different from FIG. 8 in that a plurality of fins 71 are provided in parallel toward the rotation shaft 25 a of the indoor fan 25. The flow of the generated wind flows toward the indoor fan 25 as in the direction F. Accordingly, since the shape of the fin 71 is inclined along the air flow in the suction direction A, the amount of air passing between the plurality of fins 71 is increased, and cooling can be performed more efficiently than the shape of the fin 71 of FIG. .

  10 differs from FIG. 9 in that a plurality of fins 71 along the air flow in the suction direction A are provided in parallel on a circle. The flow of the generated wind flows in the direction G toward the rotation shaft 25a of the indoor fan 25. Therefore, the fin 71 has a longer length than the shape of the fin 71 in FIG. 9 and the length of the fin 71 is longer, so that the heat exchange length becomes longer, so that the cooling can be performed more efficiently. In addition, although the arrangement | sequence of the fin 71 of FIG. 10 is perfect circle shape, elliptical shape may be sufficient.

  As described above, by providing a plurality of gaps between the fins 71 and the fins 71 of the heat sink 70 so as to follow the flow of wind generated by the indoor fan 25, the heat sink 70 can be efficiently cooled.

  FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the injection method of the molding material 58 of the present invention and a comparative example. FIG. 11A shows the injection method of the present invention. FIG. 11 (b) shows a conventional injection method as a comparative example.

  In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11A, a through-hole 82 that penetrates the heat sink assembly 81 from the heat sink 70 to the substrate holder 60 is provided at the time of integral molding. As an example, the hole in the heat sink 70 is provided in the gap between the fin 71 and the fin 71 and is narrower than the gap, and the soft mold material 58 is poured from the arrow J so as to flow into the hole in the heat sink 70. Alternatively, the molding material 58 may be poured from the hole of the heat sink 70 and the upper side of the circuit board 51 and / or the gap between the circuit board 51 and the board holder 60. The alternate long and short dash line indicated by the lead line of the molding material 58 indicates the height at which the molding material 58 is injected. Examples of the mold material 58 include a resin such as a silicon-based resin and urethane.

  Note that the hole is wider than the gap between the fin 71 and the fin 71, and the fin 71 may not be provided around the hole. FIG. 11B is a comparative example and shows a conventional injection method. As indicated by the arrow K, the mold material 58 is poured from the upper side of the circuit board 51 and / or the gap between the circuit board 51 and the board holder 60.

  When the triac element 52 is attached to the heat sink 70, the substrate holder 60 is filled with the molding material 58. The circuit board 51 and the triac element 52 are molded by hardening the molding material 58, and the circuit board 51 is fixed. At this time, the mold material 58 that is transmitted through the gap between the periphery of the window portion 64 and the heat sink 70 before curing is prevented from flowing out to the periphery of the substrate holder 60 due to surface tension. A shield material that prevents the mold material 58 from flowing out may be provided around the substrate holder 60.

  If low-temperature air flowing through the air passage 23 during the cooling operation contacts the heat sink 70, dew condensation may occur in the substrate holder 60. At this time, the molding material 58 can prevent dew condensation from adhering to the circuit board 51 and the triac element 52.

  Further, the triac element 52 is disposed in the upper part in the substrate holder 60. When holes are generated in the mold material 58, dew condensation water on the surface of the mold material 58 may reach the triac element 52. At this time, since the triac element 52 is disposed in the upper part of the substrate holder 60, the possibility that condensed water reaches the triac element 52 can be reduced as compared with the case where it is disposed in the lower part.

  In the conventional injection method, air may enter and insulation may deteriorate. However, by injecting from the hole provided at the bottom of the substrate holder 60, the mold material 58 is poured from the bottom of the substrate holder 60. Therefore, there is an effect that air is vented and air is difficult to enter, and insulation is not easily deteriorated.

  In the air conditioner 1 having the above configuration, when the cooling operation is started, the refrigeration cycle is operated by driving the compressor 41. Thereby, the indoor heat exchanger 27 becomes an evaporator on the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle, and the outdoor heat exchanger 42 becomes a condenser on the high temperature side of the refrigeration cycle. The outdoor heat exchanger 42 radiates heat by exchanging heat with the outside air by driving the outdoor fan 43. Indoor air flows into the air passage 23 from the suction port 21 by driving the indoor fan 25, and air cooled by the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 27 is sent out from the air outlet 22 into the room. Thereby, indoor cooling is performed.

  When the heating operation is started, the refrigeration cycle is operated by driving the compressor 41. Thereby, the indoor heat exchanger 27 becomes a condenser on the high temperature side of the refrigeration cycle, and the outdoor heat exchanger 42 becomes an evaporator on the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle. The outdoor heat exchanger 42 exchanges heat with the outside air by driving the outdoor fan 43 and absorbs heat. Indoor air flows into the air passage 23 from the suction port 21 by driving the indoor fan 25, and heat is exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger 27 to raise the temperature.

  Further, when the PTC heater 28a is driven, the temperature of the air flowing through the air passage 23 is further increased. At this time, the indoor fan 25 and the indoor heat exchanger 27 are formed to extend laterally from the PTC heater 28a. Thereby, the heat exchange area of the indoor heat exchanger 27 can be increased. Further, the triac element 52 is cooled via the heat sink 70 by the air flowing through the space 33 on the side of the PTC heater 28a. At this time, the air flowing through the space 33 is heated to exchange heat with the heat sink 70.

  The air heated by the indoor heat exchanger 27 and the PTC heater 28a is sent into the room through the air outlet 22, and the room is heated.

  The compressor 41 may be stopped during the heating operation, and the temperature of the air may be raised only by the PTC heater 28a. Moreover, in the integrated air conditioner only for cooling which can perform only cooling by the driving | operation of a refrigerating cycle, you may enable it to perform the heating operation by the PTC heater 28a.

  According to the present embodiment, the heat sink assembly 81 includes the heat sink 70, the circuit unit fixing portion 78, and the substrate holder 60, and is integrally formed with a heat conductive resin. Further, by integrally molding the heat sink 70 and the substrate holder 60, it is not necessary to seal the outer periphery, which is the contact portion between the heat sink 70 and the substrate holder 60, with the molding material 58.

  Moreover, since the heat sink 70 is aluminum, it was extruded using an aluminum extruder or the like, and then cut to create a part. However, by using resin, the shape can be changed significantly. . As an example, the space between the fins 71 of the heat sink 70 and the fins 71 can be made into a pattern of the fins 71 along the flow of air blown by the indoor fan 25.

  In this embodiment, although the air which distribute | circulates the ventilation path 23 is heated by the PTC heater 28a as a heater controlled by the triac element 52 closely_contact | adhered to the heat sink 70, it is not restricted to this. Heating may be performed using a heater controlled by another control element that is in close contact with the heat sink 70. The heat conductive resin may be integrally molded by combining a heat conductive resin and a metal such as aluminum powder.

  FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram when the thermoelectric conversion element of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used. The commercial power supply 83 is a power supply for controlling the control circuit 85 by converting it to DC 12V through the power supply circuit 84. The control circuit 85 controls the inverter circuit 86, the indoor fan 25, the outdoor fan 43, and the four-way valve 87. The thermoelectric conversion element 90 is disposed between the inlet pipe 91 and the outlet pipe 92 in the vicinity of the compressor 41, and an electromotive force is generated in the thermoelectric conversion element 90 using a temperature difference between the piping pipes.

  As an example, an electromotive force is generated in the thermoelectric conversion element 90 when a heating operation is performed. Next, the regulator circuit is set to DC12V. When the output voltage of the regulator circuit 95 reaches 12V, the voltage detection circuit 98 detects it, and the voltage detection circuit 98 is switched from the TV connection to the TW connection by using a relay or the like. Switch. If the voltage does not reach 12V, the power supply line switching unit 96 maintains the TV connection.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram in the case of using the thermoelectric conversion element of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a plan view, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M ′ in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a view in which the thermoelectric conversion element 90 is attached between the inlet pipe 91 and the outlet pipe 92 in the vicinity of the compressor 41. The left and right surfaces of the rectangular shape of the thermoelectric conversion element 90 are fixed to the rectangular surface of the flat plate 94 with an adhesive or the like, and the thermoelectric conversion element 90 is sandwiched between the flat plates 94. The flat plate 94 is made of an integrally formed aluminum material provided with a stopper 93. Note that a resin material having good thermal conductivity may be used instead of the aluminum material. The stopper 93 has a U-shaped opening, and an inlet pipe 91 and an outlet pipe 92 are respectively press-fitted into the opening, and are fixed by a pressing force inside the stopper 93. The piping temperature of the inlet pipe 91 is conducted and transmitted to the flat plate 94 and then to the thermoelectric conversion element 90. It should be noted that each of the inlet pipe 91 and the outlet pipe 92 is vibrated with vibration-proof rubber so that the thermoelectric conversion element 90 does not vibrate. An anti-vibration rubber and a heat radiation sealant may be sandwiched between the thermoelectric conversion element 90 and the flat plate 94 to prevent vibrations or improve heat conduction.

  As a material of the thermoelectric conversion element 90, a BiTe alloy which is a low-temperature region material is used. However, for example, a single material such as Bi, Sb, Te, or Si, or a material such as FeSi alloy or CrSi alloy may be used.

  As an example, in a stable operation state at an indoor temperature of 20 ° C. and an outdoor temperature of 8 ° C. during heating, an indoor temperature of 27 ° C. during cooling and an outdoor temperature of 35 ° C., the temperature of the inlet pipe 91 and the outlet pipe 92 near the compressor 41 The temperature difference is 50 ° C. or more. When the stable operation state is reached, the temperature of the inlet pipe 91 is transferred to the flat plate 94 on the inlet pipe 91 side by heat conduction, and the temperature of the outlet pipe 92 is transferred to the flat plate 94 on the outlet pipe 92 side by heat conduction. The temperature difference of the flat plate 94 is 50 ° C. or more. Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion element 90 generates an electromotive force of DC 12V.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart when the thermoelectric conversion element according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. 14 shows a case where operation is started with the configuration of the circuit diagram of FIG.

  In the first step S01, heating operation or cooling operation is started. First, the heating operation will be described. In step S02, the power line switching means establishes a TV connection. In step S03, a voltage is generated from the thermoelectric conversion element 90. In step S04, the regulator circuit 95 operates.

  In step S05, the regulator output of the regulator circuit 95 is kept constant at DC 12V. With the operation of the refrigeration cycle 97, the voltage detection circuit 98 detects the DC12V output of the regulator in step S06, and the power line switching means 96 such as a relay switches to TW and holds it. If there is no 12V output from the regulator circuit in step S07, the voltage detection circuit 98 cannot detect it, and in step S07, the power line switching means 96 maintains the TV connection. If the operation is stopped, the process ends in step S09. If the operation is not stopped, the process returns to step S06 and is repeated. In the case of the cooling operation, the difference from the heating operation is linked with the switching of the four-way valve 87 so that the plus / minus of the voltage output wiring of the thermoelectric conversion element 90 is reversed. When the operation is switched from the heating operation to the cooling operation, the process returns to step S01 and is repeated. The same applies when the operation is switched from the cooling operation to the heating operation.

  In this embodiment, the waste heat of the inlet pipe 91 and the outlet pipe 92 in the vicinity of the compressor 41 can be effectively used by using the electricity obtained from the thermoelectric conversion element 90 as a power source for the control circuit 85.

  The embodiments described above are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to them. Aspects obtained by appropriately combining well-known conventional techniques with the technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for an air conditioner having a heater and a heater control element.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Indoor part 3 Bottom plate 4 Outdoor exterior 5 Partition wall 20, 40 Housing | casing 21 Suction inlet 22 Outlet 23 Blower passage 24 Medium wall 25 Indoor fan 26 Louver 27 Indoor heat exchanger 28 Heater unit 28a PTC heater 31 Electric equipment Box 41 Compressor 42 Outdoor heat exchanger 43 Outdoor fan 50 Control circuit unit 51 Circuit board 52 Triac element 58 Mold material 60 Substrate holder 70 Heat sink 71 Fin 78 Circuit unit fixing part 78a Through hole 81 Heat sink assembly 82 Through hole 90 Thermoelectric conversion element

Claims (4)

In air conditioner,
A heater,
A circuit board for controlling the heater;
A substrate holder for holding the circuit board;
A heat sink for radiating heat from the circuit board;
A circuit unit fixing portion for holding the heat sink or the substrate holder;
An air conditioner, wherein the substrate holder, the heat sink, and the circuit unit fixing portion are integrally formed of a heat conductive resin.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of fin shapes of the heat sink are provided in parallel toward the rotation axis of the indoor fan.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of fin shapes of the heat sink are provided in parallel to a circular shape toward a rotation axis of the indoor fan. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a hole penetrating the substrate holder is provided in the heat sink.