JP2013108701A - Air conditioner and dust collection filter charging method in air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge a dust collection filter arranged for collecting dusts in a ventilation passage of an air conditioner in order to improve a dust absorption capability of the dust collection filter, to prevent dust adhesion to a heat exchanger, and to improve heat exchanging performance.SOLUTION: The air conditioner using a freezing cycle formed by annularly connecting a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger includes an internal structure of an indoor device as shown in Fig.1. Namely, it includes an indoor heat exchanger 2 arranged in a ventilation passage 1 having an indoor air suction port 1a and a blow-off port 1b, a dust collection filter 3 arranged at the indoor air suction port 1a side with respect to an indoor heat exchanger 2 in the ventilation passage 1 for collecting dusts included in air sucked from the indoor air suction port 1a and flown on the ventilation passage 1, and a plasma generation electrode 4 arranged at the indoor air suction port 1a side with respect to the dust collection filter 3 in the ventilation passage 1 for applying ion or radical with a positive or negative polarity to the dust collection filter 3 to charge the dust collection filter 3 with a selected polarity.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner provided with a plasma generating electrode, and more particularly to a charging method for a dust collection filter provided in an indoor unit of the air conditioner.

  In a conventional air conditioner indoor unit, when air containing dust is sucked from the intake port, large dust is collected by the air filter, but fine dust passes through the air filter, and the heat exchanger It adheres to the fins and accumulates. If it does so, there exists a problem of becoming the cause of the fall of the heat exchange efficiency of an indoor unit, or a failure.

  As a countermeasure against this, as shown in Patent Document 1, a coating having a hydrophilic function is applied to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, and an electrode for charging suspended particles in the air is provided between the air filter and the indoor heat exchanger. By arranging the negative ion generator provided, a device is considered in which the negative ion generator charges fine dust and collects dust on the surface of the downstream indoor heat exchanger having a neutral polarity.

  In addition, a coating having a hydrophilic function is applied to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger, and when the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, condensation occurs on the surface. Dust adhering to the surface of the vessel can be cleaned.

  However, since the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator only when performing a cooling operation, a dehumidifying operation, or a defrosting operation, operations that can clean dust are limited, and when performing a cooling operation or a dehumidifying operation, When the indoor load is small, such as when the temperature is low, sufficient amount of condensed water cannot be obtained, dust removal is insufficient, and the surface of the indoor heat exchanger is covered with dust, which may reduce the heat exchange performance. There is.

  Furthermore, since the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser during heating, the normal defrosting operation can be performed only when the defrosting operation can be removed, such as when the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation is not performed seasonally. Since the operation is performed only for a few minutes, the removal of dust is insufficient, and the surface of the indoor heat exchanger is covered with dust, which may reduce the heat exchange performance.

  In this way, with the idea of providing a negative ion generator downstream of the air filter and charging airborne particles to collect dust in the indoor heat exchanger, the removal of dust by condensed water is not sufficient However, there is a problem that the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor heat exchanger is lowered, and the heat exchange efficiency is lowered even if the dust collection capacity is improved.

JP 2009-52844 A

  Therefore, the present invention improves the dust adsorption capability of the dust collection filter by charging the dust collection filter provided for the purpose of collecting dust in the ventilation path of the air conditioner, The main objective is to prevent the adhesion of dust and improve the heat exchange performance.

  That is, the air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor heat exchanger disposed in a ventilation path having an indoor air suction port and a blowout port, and the indoor air suction port side of the indoor heat exchanger in the ventilation path. And a dust collection filter that collects dust contained in the air that is sucked from the indoor air suction port and flows through the ventilation path, and the indoor air suction port side of the dust collection filter in the ventilation path And a plasma generating electrode for charging the dust collection filter to one polarity by applying positive or negative ions or radicals to the dust collection filter.

  In such a case, a plasma generating electrode is disposed on the air suction side of the dust collection filter, and positive or negative ions or radicals are applied to the dust collection filter so that the dust collection filter is placed on one side. By charging to the polarity, the dust collection filter provided for the purpose of collecting dust in the ventilation path of the air conditioner is charged to improve the dust adsorption capacity of the dust collection filter, and the heat exchanger It is possible to prevent dust from adhering to and improve heat exchange performance.

  In order to charge the dust collection filter over a wider range and improve the dust adsorption capability, the plasma generating electrode includes a pair of electrodes provided with a dielectric film on at least one of the opposing surfaces, and a corresponding portion of each electrode Each having a fluid circulation hole configured to penetrate therethrough as a whole and applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes to cause plasma discharge, and when the fluid passes through the fluid circulation hole, the plasma It is desirable to configure so that ions or radicals are generated when touched.

  In order to charge the dust collection filter throughout and further improve the dust adsorption capability, the plasma generation electrode is provided over substantially the entire flow path cross section of the ventilation path so as to face the dust collection filter. It is desirable that

  In order to reduce the amount of dust in contact with the plasma generating electrode as much as possible, and the dust is charged to the same polarity as the dust collection filter to prevent a decrease in dust adsorption capacity in the dust collection filter, It is desirable that the plasma generating electrode is provided in a part of the cross section of the ventilation path.

  Further, in order to charge only the dust collecting filter without charging dust, the plasma generating electrode is provided so as not to come into contact with the air sucked by the indoor air suction port in the ventilation path. It is desirable.

  Further, in order to charge only the dust collection filter without charging dust and to charge the dust collection filter over a wider range, a moving mechanism for moving the plasma generating electrode along the dust collection filter is further provided. It is desirable to provide.

  Further, in order to selectively adsorb the positively or negatively charged dust to the dust collecting filter, a DC bias voltage is applied to the voltage applied to the plasma generating electrode, thereby It is desirable that the charging polarity can be switched.

  Depending on the amount and type of dust contained in the air, in order to efficiently adsorb to the dust collecting filter, a DC bias voltage is applied to the voltage applied to the plasma generating electrode to charge the dust collecting filter. It is desirable that the amount be adjusted.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, a plasma generating electrode is disposed on the air suction side of the dust collection filter, and positive or negative ions or radicals are applied to the dust collection filter to thereby collect the dust collection filter. By charging one of the polarities, the dust collection filter provided for the purpose of collecting dust in the ventilation path of the air conditioner is charged, thereby improving the dust adsorption capacity of the dust collection filter, It is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the heat exchanger and improve the heat exchange performance.

The schematic diagram which shows the air conditioner provided with the plasma generator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the plasma generator which concerns on the same embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the air conditioner provided with the plasma generator which concerns on other embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the air conditioner provided with the plasma generator which concerns on other embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the moving mechanism which concerns on other embodiment.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment includes a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger are connected in an annular shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit has an indoor heat exchanger 2 disposed in a ventilation path 1 having an indoor air suction port 1a and a blowout port 1b, and an indoor heat exchanger in the ventilation path 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a dust collection filter 3 that is disposed on the indoor air suction port 1a side, collects dust contained in the air that is sucked from the indoor air suction port 1a and flows through the ventilation passage 1, and dust collection in the ventilation passage 1. A plasma generating electrode 4 which is disposed on the indoor air inlet 1a side with respect to the filter 3 and charges the dust collection filter 3 to one polarity by applying positive or negative ions or radicals to the dust collection filter 3; With It is.

  The dust collection filter 3 is provided over substantially the entire cross section of the ventilation path 1, and is, for example, an air filter such as a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter, and removes dust contained in the air sucked from the indoor air suction port 1a. It is something to collect.

  The plasma generating electrode 4 is disposed so as to face the dust collecting filter 3 and is provided over substantially the entire flow path cross section of the ventilation path 1. The plasma generating electrode 4 is formed of stainless steel such as SUS403, for example. Micro Gap Plasma) generates active species such as ions and radicals.

  The plasma generating electrode 4 has a pair of electrodes 41 and 42 each provided with a ferroelectric film on the opposite surface, and a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes 41 and 42 by the voltage applying means 5 to cause plasma discharge. Is. Each electrode 41, 42 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view (when viewed from the face plate direction of the electrode 41, 42), and penetrates in the same direction as the flow direction of the air flowing through the ventilation path 1. The fluid circulation hole 43 is provided, and the open end of the fluid circulation hole 43 is a plasma generation site. Although not shown, an application terminal to which a voltage from the voltage application means 5 is applied is formed at the edge of the plasma generation electrode 4.

  Although not shown, a ferroelectric film such as barium titanate is applied to the opposing surfaces of the electrodes 41 and 42 to form a ferroelectric film. The surface roughness of the ferroelectric film (calculated average roughness Ra in this embodiment) is 0.1 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Other surface roughness may be defined using the maximum height Ry and the ten-point average roughness Rz. Thus, by setting the planar roughness of the ferroelectric film to a value within the above range, a gap is formed between the opposing surfaces just by overlapping the electrodes 41 and 42, and plasma is generated in the gap. Will do. This eliminates the need for a spacer for forming a plasma forming gap between the electrodes 41 and 42. It is conceivable that the surface roughness of the ferroelectric film is controlled by a thermal spraying method.

  The voltage application means 5 applies a pulse-shaped voltage to each of the electrodes 41 and 42, sets the peak value within the range of 100V to 5000V, and sets the pulse width within the range of 0.1 μsec to 300 μsec. Yes.

  In the ventilation path 1 configured as described above, when a voltage is applied to the plasma generating electrode 4 from the voltage applying means 5, plasma is generated at the open end of the fluid flow hole 43 of the plasma generating electrode 4 and is generated by this plasma. By applying the positive or negative ions or radicals applied to the dust collection filter 3 provided facing the downstream side of the plasma generation electrode 4, the dust collection filter 3 is charged to one polarity. In addition, when air containing dust is sucked from the indoor air suction port 1a, dust in the air also passes through the fluid flow hole 43 of the plasma generating electrode 4, and thus it is considered that a part of the dust is charged. Neutralizes before reaching the dust collection filter 3. Therefore, when the dust reaches the dust collection filter 3, the dust is adsorbed by the dust collection filter 3 because the polarity of the dust is neutral with respect to the charged dust collection filter 3.

  According to the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the plasma generating electrode 4 is disposed on the air suction port 1a side of the dust collection filter 3 and is positive or negative with respect to the dust collection filter 3. By charging the dust collection filter 3 to one polarity by applying the ions or radicals, the dust collection filter 3 provided for the purpose of collecting dust in the ventilation path 1 of the air conditioner is charged. Thus, it is possible to improve the dust adsorbing ability of the dust collection filter 3, prevent the dust from adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 2, and improve the heat exchange performance.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the plasma generating electrode 4 may be provided so as not to contact the air sucked from the indoor air suction port 1 a in the ventilation path 1. Specifically, it is conceivable to arrange the plasma generating electrode 4 in a pipe provided independently in the ventilation path 1. The pipe 6 has openings on the indoor air suction port 1a side and the dust collection filter 3 side, and positive or negative ions or radicals are collected from the opening on the dust collection filter side of the pipe 6 in the dust collection filter. Introduce towards 3. Thereby, since the dust passing through the outside of the pipe 6 is not charged, it is possible to prevent the dust collecting ability from being lowered due to the dust and the dust collecting filter 3 being charged with the same polarity.

  Further, by providing a filter at the opening of the pipe 6 on the indoor air suction port 1a side, dust does not enter the pipe 6 and the dust does not contact the plasma generating electrode 4, so that the dust and the dust collecting filter 3 have the same polarity. It is possible to prevent the dust collection ability from being lowered due to charging.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a moving mechanism 7 that allows the plasma generating electrode 4 to move in the direction along the upstream surface of the dust collecting filter 3 in the air passage 1 may be provided. As a configuration of the moving mechanism 7, for example, it may be configured by a motor, a gear mechanism, a ball screw mechanism, and the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the ventilation path 1 has a substantially rectangular channel cross section, and the plasma generating electrode 4 has a rectangular shape whose width dimension is substantially equal to the channel section of the ventilation path 1 and whose height dimension is small. In such a case, a moving mechanism 7 that allows the plasma generating electrode 4 to move in the height direction is provided at both ends in the width direction of the plasma generating electrode 4. The moving mechanism 7 converts the driving force of the motor into a linear motion by a gear mechanism, a ball screw mechanism or the like, and moves the plasma generating electrode 4 in the height direction, so that the entire upstream surface of the dust collection filter 3 is moved. Is charged.

  Further, a DC bias applying unit may be provided, and the charging polarity of the dust collecting filter may be switched by applying a DC bias voltage to the voltage applied to the plasma generating electrode 4 from the voltage applying unit.

  Furthermore, the charge amount of the dust collecting filter may be adjusted by providing a DC bias applying means and applying a DC bias voltage to the voltage applied from the voltage applying means to the plasma generating electrode 4.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Plasma generator 1 ... Ventilation path 1a ... Indoor air inlet 1b ... Outlet 2 ... Indoor heat exchanger 3 ... Dust collection filter 4 ... Plasma generating electrode 41 ... Electrode 42 ... Electrode 43 ... Fluid flow hole 5 ... Voltage application means 6 ... Pipe 7 ... Movement mechanism

Claims (13)

An indoor heat exchanger disposed in a ventilation path having an indoor air suction port and a blowout port;
A dust collection filter disposed on the indoor air suction side of the indoor heat exchanger in the ventilation path, and collecting dust contained in air sucked from the indoor air suction path and flowing through the ventilation path; ,
The dust collection filter is disposed on the indoor air inlet side with respect to the dust collection filter in the ventilation path, and the dust collection filter is set to one polarity by applying positive or negative ions or radicals to the dust collection filter. An air conditioner comprising a plasma generating electrode to be charged.   The plasma generating electrode includes a pair of electrodes provided with a dielectric film on at least one of the opposing surfaces, and a fluid circulation hole configured to pass through as a whole provided at a corresponding portion of each electrode, The plasma discharge is performed by applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes, and is configured to generate ions or radicals by touching the plasma when the fluid passes through the fluid circulation hole. Air conditioner.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plasma generation electrode is provided over substantially the entire flow path cross section of the ventilation path so as to face the dust collection filter.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plasma generating electrode is provided in a part of a flow path cross section of the ventilation path.   The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the plasma generating electrode is provided so as not to come into contact with the air sucked by the indoor air suction port in the ventilation path.   The air conditioner according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the plasma generating electrode along the dust collection filter.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a charging polarity of the dust collecting filter is switched by applying a DC bias voltage to a voltage applied to the plasma generating electrode.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a charge amount of the dust collecting filter is adjusted by applying a DC bias voltage to a voltage applied to the plasma generating electrode. An indoor heat exchanger disposed in a ventilation path having an indoor air suction port and a blowout port; and the indoor air suction port disposed on the indoor air suction port side with respect to the indoor heat exchanger in the ventilation path. In an air conditioner comprising a dust collection filter that collects dust contained in the air that is sucked from and flows through the ventilation path,
A plasma generation electrode is disposed on the indoor air suction side of the dust collection filter in the ventilation path, and positive or negative ions or radicals generated on the plasma generation electrode are applied to the dust collection filter. A dust collection filter charging method in an air conditioner for charging the dust collection filter to one polarity.   The plasma generating electrode includes a pair of electrodes provided with a dielectric film on at least one of the opposing surfaces, and a fluid circulation hole configured to pass through as a whole provided at a corresponding portion of each electrode, The plasma discharge is performed by applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes, and is configured to generate ions or radicals by touching the plasma when the fluid passes through the fluid circulation hole. A dust collection filter charging method in an air conditioner. The plasma generating electrode is provided in a part of the cross section of the ventilation path,
The dust collection filter charging method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a part or all of the dust collection filter is charged to one polarity by moving the plasma generating electrode along the dust collection filter.   The dust collecting filter charging method according to claim 9, wherein a charging polarity of the dust collecting filter is switched by applying a DC bias voltage to a voltage applied to the plasma generating electrode.   The dust collection filter charging method according to claim 9, wherein a charge amount of the dust collection filter is adjusted by applying a DC bias voltage to a voltage applied to the plasma generation electrode.