JP2024038875A - air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention suppresses electrostatic mist discharged outdoors when only exhausting air while operating an electrostatic atomization unit. An electrostatic atomization unit 75 is housed in a casing 23 and has a discharge port 75a that discharges liquid particles into a ventilation space. The ventilation duct 28, which is an exhaust duct, has an opening 28a, which is an intake port, and which communicates with the ventilation space. The opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28 communicates with the first space R1. The discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 communicates with the second space R2. [Selection diagram] Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner that includes an indoor unit that is capable of emitting liquid particles containing ions by electric discharge during an exhaust operation that exhausts indoor air to the outdoors.

Conventional air conditioners include an electrostatic atomizer that generates negatively charged electrostatic mist during operation of the air conditioner, as described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-44877). Some are equipped with an exhaust blower and a supply air blower for ventilating indoor air.

Patent Document 1 describes a ventilation device that includes an electrostatic atomization unit on the downstream side of an air supply path and can discharge electrostatic mist into a room. Generally, in a ventilation system, if an attempt is made to exhaust air while operating an electrostatic atomization unit, electrostatic mist may be discharged outside the room.

The air conditioner according to the first aspect is an air conditioner equipped with an indoor unit that is capable of emitting liquid particles containing ions by electric discharge during an exhaust operation for exhausting indoor air to the outdoors, and the indoor unit is , comprising a crossflow fan, a casing, an electrostatic atomization unit, and an exhaust duct. The casing houses the cross-flow fan and has an outlet communicating with a ventilation space through which the laminar flow generated by the cross-flow fan passes. The electrostatic atomization unit is housed in a casing and has an outlet for discharging liquid particles into a ventilation space. The exhaust duct has an intake port communicating with the ventilation space. The ventilation space includes a first space and a second space that are divided into two by a plane that passes through the center of the cross flow fan in the longitudinal direction and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The intake port of the exhaust duct communicates with the first space. The discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit communicates with the second space.

In the air conditioner of the first aspect, the intake port of the exhaust duct communicates with the first space, and the discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit communicates with the second space. As a result, it is possible to suppress liquid particles emitted from the electrostatic atomization unit from being sucked in from the intake port of the exhaust duct and discharged to the outside during exhaust operation.

The air conditioner of the second aspect is the air conditioner of the first aspect, and the cross flow fan has one end and the other end. The intake port of the exhaust duct is located closer to one end than the plane that divides the ventilation space into two. The discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit is arranged at a position closer to the other end than the plane.

In the air conditioner according to the second aspect, the intake port of the exhaust duct and the discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit are sufficiently separated in the longitudinal direction of the crossflow fan, so that liquid particles are sucked in from the intake port of the exhaust duct and left outdoors. can be sufficiently suppressed from being discharged.

The air conditioner according to the third aspect is the air conditioner according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the exhaust duct is a ventilation duct used for supplying and exhausting air. The electrostatic atomization unit is arranged in a space near the second space among spaces obtained by dividing the internal space of the casing other than the ventilation space by the plane.

In the air conditioner according to the third aspect, it is possible to suppress the problem that liquid particles cannot be stably generated due to the high humidity of the supplied air depending on the outside air conditions at the time of air supply.

The air conditioner according to the fourth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the indoor unit is arranged upstream of the cross flow fan in the ventilation space, and the indoor unit collects dust from the air flowing into the ventilation space. Equipped with a pre-filter that removes. The intake port of the exhaust duct is arranged at a position where a portion of the air taken in during exhaust passes through the pre-filter.

In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect, the air that has passed through the pre-filter passes through the exhaust duct, thereby making it possible to suppress contamination of the exhaust duct.

The air conditioner according to the fifth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and includes a controller that controls air conditioning operation, exhaust operation, and operation of the electrostatic atomization unit. The controller controls the electrostatic atomization unit to operate at the same time as the exhaust operation during or after the internal drying operation for drying the inside of the indoor unit after the air conditioning operation ends.

In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent the exhaust duct from becoming dirty due to the internal drying operation with the liquid particles discharged from the electrostatic atomization unit.

The air conditioner according to the sixth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and includes a controller that controls air conditioning operation, exhaust operation, and operation of the electrostatic atomization unit, and the controller: When performing exhaust operation, the electrostatic atomization unit is controlled to operate even if the indoor unit is stopped.

The air conditioner according to the seventh aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit is arranged downstream of the cross flow fan.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment. 2 is a diagram for explaining a refrigerant circuit and an air flow path included in the air conditioning system of FIG. 1. FIG. It is an exploded perspective view showing an example of composition of an indoor unit concerning an embodiment. It is a sectional view showing an example of the composition of the indoor unit concerning an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the air conditioning indoor unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the air conditioning indoor unit according to the embodiment. It is a typical sectional view of an air conditioning indoor unit for explaining the arrangement position of the electrostatic atomization unit concerning an embodiment. It is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an example of the arrangement position of the discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of a ventilation duct. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the appearance of a ventilation duct. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the appearance of the ventilation duct. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation duct taken along line II in FIG. 8. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an electrostatic atomizer. It is a typical sectional view showing an outline of composition of an electrostatic atomization unit. It is a partially cutaway plan view of an indoor unit according to a modified example. It is a partially cutaway front view of an indoor unit according to a modified example. It is a typical sectional view of an air conditioning indoor unit for explaining the arrangement position of the electrostatic atomization unit concerning a modification. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a connection relationship of controllers.

(1) General configuration of the air conditioner (1-1) Overview of the overall configuration of the air conditioner As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment includes an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 4. It is equipped with a ventilation device 6. In the following explanation, the expressions "up", "down", "front", and "back" shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6 are used to explain the directions of the respective arrows. There is. Directions in the indoor unit 2 may be explained using the expressions "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "left", and "right" in FIG. 3 . Further, in FIGS. 2 and 6, air flows are indicated by thick arrows. The thick arrows include solid lines and broken lines. The operation modes of the air conditioner 1 include, for example, cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, humidification operation, ventilation operation, air supply operation, exhaust operation, and air purification operation. The air conditioner 1 includes a controller 8 that controls the indoor unit 2 and the ventilation device 6, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The indoor unit 2 is installed in the room RM (see FIG. 1), and performs air conditioning in the room RM. Inside the room RM is an example of a room. The indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 4 are connected by refrigerant communication pipes 11 and 12 (see FIG. 2). The indoor unit 2, the outdoor unit 4, and the refrigerant communication pipes 11 and 12 constitute a refrigerant circuit 13. The air conditioner 1 can perform, for example, cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, ventilation operation, and air purification operation by using the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 4 without using the ventilation device 6. In the refrigerant circuit 13, a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is repeated, for example, during cooling operation, heating operation, and dehumidification operation. The indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 4 are controlled by a controller 8.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the indoor unit 2 is installed and attached to the wall WL of the room RM. However, the type of indoor unit 2 is not limited to the type installed on the wall WL of the room RM. The indoor unit 2 may be of a type installed on the ceiling CI or the floor FL, for example.

The indoor unit 2 has an indoor heat exchanger 21, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B. The indoor unit 2 passes air through an indoor heat exchanger 21 to exchange heat with the air. When air is not supplied by the ventilation device 6, the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 is indoor air. When air is being supplied by the ventilation device 6, the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 21 is indoor air and outdoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 21 has a plurality of heat transfer fins 21a and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 21b. In the indoor heat exchanger 21, air passes between the plurality of heat transfer fins 21a. Further, during heat exchange, air passes between the plurality of heat transfer fins 21a, and at the same time, a refrigerant flows through the heat transfer tubes 21b. The refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger tubes 21b is a type of heat medium. The heat transfer tube 21b is folded back multiple times and is thermally connected to the plurality of heat transfer fins 21a so as to pass through each heat transfer fin 21a multiple times.

The air conditioner 1 can perform, for example, exhaust operation, air supply operation, and humidification operation by using the ventilation device 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 together with the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 4. In other words, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 having such a configuration can perform operations corresponding to, for example, cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, humidification operation, ventilation operation, exhaust operation, air supply operation, and air purification operation. can. The ventilation device 6 has an air supply/exhaust hose 68 communicating with the room via the indoor unit 2. The indoor unit 2 can supply outside air into the room RM (indoor) through the air supply/exhaust hose 68 using the ventilation device 6 . Further, the indoor unit 2 can exhaust the air in the room RM (indoor) to the outdoors OD through the air supply/exhaust hose 68 by the ventilation device 6 . In this way, the indoor unit 2 can ventilate the room RM using the ventilation device 6. The outside air described in this disclosure is the air outside OD, and the indoor air is the air inside the room RM. In addition, the indoor unit 2 can perform humidification to increase the humidity in the room with moisture supplied into the room RM (indoors) by the ventilation device 6 through the supply/exhaust hose 68.

The controller 8 of the air conditioner 1 includes an indoor control section 81 that controls the indoor unit 2 and an outdoor control section 82 that controls the outdoor unit 4 and the ventilation device 6. The indoor control section 81 and the outdoor control section 82 are each controllers realized by, for example, a microcomputer. For example, the indoor control unit 81 includes a control calculation device 81a, a storage device 81b, and a timer 81c. A processor such as a CPU or a GPU can be used as the control calculation device 81a. The control calculation device 81a reads a program stored in the storage device 81b, and performs, for example, predetermined calculation processing and sequence control according to this program. Further, the control calculation device 81a can write calculation results to the storage device 81b and read information stored in the storage device 81b according to a program. For example, the outdoor control unit 82 includes a control calculation device 82a, a storage device 82b, and a timer 82c. A processor such as a CPU or a GPU can be used as the control arithmetic unit 82a. The control calculation device 82a reads a program stored in the storage device 82b, and performs, for example, predetermined calculation processing and sequence control according to this program. Further, the control calculation device 82a can write calculation results to the storage device 82b and read information stored in the storage device 82b according to a program.

(1-2) Arrangement of electrostatic atomization unit of indoor unit The indoor unit 2 includes a casing 23 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. The casing 23 of the indoor unit 2 described here includes a frame 23f, a grill 23g, and a front panel 23p (see FIG. 3). However, the configuration of the casing 23 of the indoor unit 2 is not limited to the configuration described here. This casing 23 extends long along the longitudinal direction D1. The cross flow fan 22 also extends along the longitudinal direction D1. The longitudinal direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the cross flow fan 22. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5B, one end E1 of the cross-flow fan 22 in the longitudinal direction D1 is on the left when looking at the casing 23 from the front, and the other end E2 of the cross-flow fan 22 in the longitudinal direction D1 is on the left. , is on the right when looking at the casing 23 from the front.

Among the internal spaces in the casing 23, the space through which the laminar flow generated by the cross flow fan 22 passes is the blowing space FS. The air blowing space FS includes a first space R1 and a second space R2 that are divided into two by an imaginary plane VP perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1 passing through the center CE of the longitudinal direction D1 of the cross flow fan 22 (see FIG. 3). ). In the present disclosure, a space closer to one end E1 of the cross-flow fan 22 than the center CE in the longitudinal direction D1 of the cross-flow fan 22 is the first space R1. Further, a space closer to the other end E2 of the cross flow fan 22 than the center CE is the second space R2. Since the airflow generated by the crossflow fan 22 is a laminar flow, the airflow caused by the crossflow fan 22 is parallel to the virtual plane VP.

The outside air is supplied from the ventilation device 6 through the supply/exhaust hose 68 and from the ventilation duct 28 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) arranged in the first space R1. In FIG. 2, the flow of outside air is indicated by a thick dashed-dotted arrow. Since the airflow generated by the crossflow fan 22 is a laminar flow, the outside air supplied from the ventilation duct 28 is less likely to reach the second space R2 than the first space R1.

The opening 28a (see FIGS. 2 and 11) of the ventilation duct 28 communicates with the first space R1. When the ventilation duct 28 functions as an exhaust duct, the opening 28a functions as an intake port that takes in indoor air. In other words, the opening 28a is an example of an intake port of an exhaust duct.

When exhausting air using the ventilation duct 28, indoor air is mainly sucked into the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28 from the first space R1. Therefore, the amount of air sucked into the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28 from the second space R2 is very small compared to the amount of air sucked into the opening 28a from the first space R1.

The indoor unit 2 includes an electrostatic atomization unit 75 shown in FIG. The electrostatic atomization unit 75 is a device that emits liquid particles containing ions by discharge. A discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 for discharging liquid particles communicates with the second space R2 (see FIGS. 2 and 7).

(2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Indoor unit As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the indoor unit 2 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, a crossflow fan 22, a casing 23, An electrostatic atomizer 70 (see FIG. 12) including an air filter 24, a drain pan 26, a horizontal flap 27a, a vertical flap 27b (see FIG. 7), a ventilation duct 28, and an electrostatic atomizer unit 75. We are prepared. Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 includes an indoor temperature sensor 31 and an indoor humidity sensor 32. The indoor temperature sensor 31 and the indoor humidity sensor 32 are connected to the indoor control section 81 (see FIG. 2).

The casing 23 has an inlet 23a at the top and an outlet 23b at the bottom. The indoor unit 2 drives the crossflow fan 22 to suck indoor air through the suction port 23a, and blows out the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 21 from the blowout port 23b. In the casing 23, the blowing space FS is an air flow path that connects the suction port 23a and the blowout port 23b. The cross-flow fan 22 is disposed approximately in the center of the casing 23 when viewed in cross section of the indoor unit 2 (see FIG. 4). The cross-flow fan 22 has blades extending along the longitudinal direction D1, and generates a laminar flow of air in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1.

The indoor heat exchanger 21 is arranged upstream of the cross flow fan 22 in the air blowing space FS from the suction port 23a to the blowout port 23b. The indoor heat exchanger 21 has a shape that opens downward so as to cover the upper side of the cross flow fan 22 when viewed in the direction in which the heat exchanger tubes 21b extend (in side view). Downward means downward in the direction of gravity, from the ceiling CI toward the floor FL. Here, such a shape is referred to as a Λ shape or a C-shape. The indoor heat exchanger 21 has a first heat exchange section 21F that is far from the wall WL and a second heat exchange section 21R that is close to the wall WL. A drain pan 26 is arranged under the lower part of the first heat exchange part 21F and the lower part of the second heat exchange part 21R of the Λ-shaped or C-shaped indoor heat exchanger 21. Condensation generated in the first heat exchange section 21F of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is received by a drain pan 26 disposed at the front lower part of the indoor heat exchanger 21. Condensation generated in the second heat exchange section 21R of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is received by a drain pan 26 disposed at the rear lower part of the indoor heat exchanger 21. The air blowing space FS passes through an opening formed in the drain pan 26 and continues to the air outlet 23b so as to extend in the longitudinal direction D1.

A horizontal flap 27a and a vertical flap 27b are arranged at the air outlet 23b. The horizontal flap 27a changes the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 23b up and down. Therefore, the horizontal flap 27a is configured so that the angle formed with the horizontal direction can be changed by the motor 27m. The vertical flap 27b is configured to be able to change the direction of air blown out from the outlet 23b to the left or right. The indoor unit 2 is driven, for example, by a motor 27n (see FIG. 16) so that the angle between the vertical flap 27b and the front-rear direction is changed.

The indoor unit 2 includes an air filter 24 that is a pre-filter that removes dust from the air flowing into the blowing space FS. An air filter 24 is disposed downstream of the suction port 23a in the casing 23 and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 21 in the flow of air during cooling and heating operations. Substantially all of the indoor air supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 21 passes through the air filter 24 . Therefore, dust larger than the mesh of the air filter 24 is removed by the air filter 24 and does not reach the indoor heat exchanger 21. Since the cross-flow fan 22 is located downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 21, the air filter 24 is located upstream of the cross-flow fan 22.

The indoor unit 2 includes a ventilation duct 28 as an exhaust duct in the casing 23. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the ventilation duct 28 is arranged in the first space R1 of the ventilation space FS. The opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28 is arranged to face the indoor heat exchanger 21 (see FIG. 6). When the indoor unit 2 is performing air supply operation, outside air is blown out from the ventilation duct 28. Further, when the indoor unit 2 is performing exhaust operation, indoor air is sucked into the ventilation duct 28. During the air supply operation, the humidifying operation in the ventilation device 6 is stopped, and outside air is directly sent from the ventilation device 6 to the ventilation duct 28 through the supply/exhaust hose 68. During the exhaust operation, the humidifying operation in the ventilation device 6 is also stopped, and indoor air is sent from the ventilation duct 28 to the ventilation device 6 through the supply/exhaust hose 68. When the indoor unit 2 is performing humidification operation, humidified outside air is blown out from the ventilation duct 28. During the humidification operation, the ventilation device 6 performs a humidification operation, and humidified outside air is sent from the ventilation device 6 to the ventilation duct 28 through the supply/exhaust hose 68. The ventilation duct 28 is provided with a duct filter 28b. The outside air sent through the supply/exhaust hose 68 passes through the duct filter 28b and is blown into the casing 23.

The electrostatic atomizer 70 (see FIG. 12) including the electrostatic atomizer unit 75 is arranged outside the ventilation space FS. As shown in FIG. 6, an electrostatic atomizer 70 including an electrostatic atomizer unit 75 is arranged within the casing 23. The electrostatic atomizer 70 is arranged, for example, along the right side surface (side surface on the other end side) of the casing 23 on the side closer to the other end E2 of the cross flow fan 22 in the longitudinal direction D1. The side closer to one end E1 than the center CE in the longitudinal direction D1 is called one end side of the casing 23, and the side closer to the other end E2 than the center CE is called the other end side of the casing 23. More specifically, the discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 communicates with the second space R2, but the electrostatic atomization device 70 including the electrostatic atomization unit 75 communicates with the second space R2. It is located. For example, the electrostatic atomizer 70 is arranged in a space that is closer to the second space R2 among the spaces obtained by dividing the internal space of the casing 23 other than the air blowing space FS by a virtual plane VP (see FIG. 3). ing. In other words, the space in which the electrostatic atomizer 70 is arranged is the space on the right side of the virtual plane VP in the space excluding the blowing space FS from the internal space of the casing 23. The electrostatic atomizer 70 in FIG. 6 takes in air for emitting liquid particles from a space other than the ventilation space FS, for example. In this indoor unit 2, the electrostatic atomizer 70 takes in air for discharging liquid particles from a space IS (see FIG. 6) other than the blowing space FS in the casing 23. This space IS is a space inside the casing 23, and is a space near the other end E2 of the cross flow fan 22. It is the right side surface of the casing 23 that partitions the space IS from the indoor space near the other end E2 of the cross flow fan 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor control unit 81 disposed in the indoor unit 2 is connected to a cross flow fan motor 22m, a horizontal flap motor 27m, and a vertical flap motor 27n. ing. The indoor control unit 81 can control the rotation speed of the motor 22m of the cross flow fan 22 and the rotation angle of the motor 27m of the horizontal flap 27a and the motor 27n of the vertical flap 27b. The indoor control section 81 is connected to an outdoor control section 82 (see FIG. 2) arranged in the outdoor unit 4. Here, a case will be described in which the indoor control unit 81 has a timer 81c, a control calculation device 81a, and a storage device 81b. It may be provided at a location. For example, the timer 81c, the control calculation device 81a, and the storage device 81b may be provided in the outdoor control unit 82. The indoor control unit 81 can detect the temperature of indoor air using the indoor temperature sensor 31, and can detect the relative humidity of the indoor air using the indoor humidity sensor 32. The indoor control unit 81 can set timings for starting and stopping the electrostatic atomization device 70 (electrostatic atomization unit 75) using the timer 81c.

The indoor unit 2 has an electrical component box 90 that is disposed in a location other than the air blowing space FS in the casing 23 and extends in the longitudinal direction D1 (see FIG. 3). In the indoor unit 2, the indoor control unit 81 is housed in a first electrical equipment compartment 91 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) of an electrical equipment box 90. The first electrical equipment room 91 is arranged in the internal space of the casing 23 near the first space R1. The first electrical equipment room 91 is a space in which a first electrical circuit component driven by a voltage of less than 50 volts is housed. The first electrical circuit components include electrical circuit components that constitute the indoor control section 81. The electrical equipment box 90 has a second electrical equipment compartment 92 in the interior space of the casing 23 near the second space R2. The second electrical equipment room 92 is a space in which second electrical circuit components driven by a voltage of 50 volts or more are housed. The second electric circuit component includes an electric circuit component for supplying power to the electrostatic atomization unit 75. The second electrical equipment room 92 is arranged in the internal space of the casing 23 near the second space R2. Since the second electrical equipment room 92 is arranged near the second space R2, the wiring distance from the second electrical equipment room 92 to the electrostatic atomization unit 75 can be shortened.

The indoor unit 2 includes a notification device 29 that notifies that the electrostatic atomization unit 75 has stopped. The notification device 29 is provided, for example, in the electrical component box 90. The notification device 29 includes, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED, and notifies the user that the electrostatic atomization unit 75 is stopped by the light emitting element emitting light or repeating blinking. However, the notification device 29 is not limited to being provided in the electrical component box 90, and for example, the display device of the remote controller 9 can be used as the display device of the notification device 29. For example, by displaying on the display device of the remote controller 9 that the electrostatic atomization unit 75 has stopped, it is possible to notify that the electrostatic atomization unit 75 has stopped.

(2-1-1) Ventilation duct As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, the ventilation duct 28 includes an opening 28a, a duct filter 28b, a wide part 28c, a connecting part 28d, and an entrance/exit 28e. have. An air supply and exhaust hose 68 is connected to the cylindrical connection portion 28d. During air supply operation, outside air flows into the air supply/exhaust hose 68 from the inlet/outlet 28e at the tip of the connecting portion 28d. Further, during exhaust operation, indoor air flows out into the supply/exhaust hose 68 from the inlet/outlet 28e at the tip of the connecting portion 28d. A wide portion 28c that is wider in the longitudinal direction D1 (horizontal direction) than the connecting portion 28d is provided upstream of the connecting portion 28d in the flow of air during exhaust operation. A duct filter 28b is removably attached to the wide portion 28c. The duct filter 28b can be pulled out from the rear of the casing 23 toward the front by opening the front panel 23p of the indoor unit 2. An opening 28a is formed upstream of the duct filter 28b in the flow of air during exhaust operation.

The opening 28a faces the indoor heat exchanger 21 with the air filter 24, which is a pre-filter, in between. The air filter 24 is arranged in the air blowing space FS upstream of the cross flow fan 22 in the airflow during cooling operation and heating operation. During exhaust operation, indoor air sucked in through the opening 28a passes through the air filter 24 and flows into the ventilation duct 28. In other words, the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28, which functions as an intake port of the exhaust duct, is arranged at a position where a portion of the air sucked in during exhaust passes through the air filter 24, which is a pre-filter. Furthermore, during the air supply operation, the outside air blown out from the opening 28 a passes through the air filter 24 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 . Since the crossflow fan 22 generates an air flow in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1, the outside air blown out from the ventilation duct 28 flows through the first space R1 and does not flow into the second space R2.

(2-1-2) Electrostatic Atomizer The electrostatic atomizer unit 75 is arranged in the electrostatic atomizer 70, as shown in FIG. The electrostatic atomization unit 75 has a discharge port 75a. The electrostatic atomizer 70 includes, for example, a housing 71, an inlet 72a, an air blower 74, and a high-voltage transformer 73. The discharge port 75a communicates with the second space R2 of the ventilation space FS. The part with which the discharge port 75a communicates is, for example, the scroll portion connected to the blow-off port 23b of the casing 23, in the blowing space FS. As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge port 75a is connected to the side wall 23w of the scroll portion.

Indoor air is sucked into the inlet 72a of the electrostatic atomizer 70 from a location other than the blowing space FS in the casing 23. The electrostatic atomizer 70 includes a blower device 74 in the casing 71 in order to pass the air taken in from the inlet 72a through the electrostatic atomizer unit 75 in the casing 71 and release it from the outlet 75a. It is preferable to have one. However, if airflow is generated within the housing 71 even without the blower device 74, the blower device 74 may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electrostatic atomization unit 75 converts moisture condensed on the discharge electrode 78 into fine water particles 77 containing ions through discharge, and releases the water particles 77. Hereinafter, the water particles 77 containing ions may be referred to as electrostatic mist. In order to generate a high voltage discharge at the discharge electrode 78, a high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 78 and the counter electrode 79 by the high voltage transformer 73. Due to the discharge phenomenon that occurs in the discharge electrode 78, water on the discharge electrode 78 becomes nanometer-sized fine particles and is charged, and water fine particles 77 containing ions are generated.

The electrostatic atomization unit 75 includes, for example, a cooling element 76 in order to generate dew condensation water on the discharge electrode 78. The cooling element 76 has a heat radiation surface 76a and a cooling surface 76b. For example, a heat radiation section 76c is thermally connected to the heat radiation surface 76a. For example, a heat radiation fin can be used for the heat radiation part 76c. The cooling surface 76b is thermally connected to the discharge electrode 78 via an electrical insulating material (not shown). The discharge electrode 78, which is installed upright on the cooling surface 76b, is spaced apart from the counter electrode 40 by a predetermined distance. The cooling element 76 includes, for example, a Peltier element. A plurality of cooling elements 76 may be provided. When the cooling element 76 is a Peltier element, when a direct current is passed through the Peltier element, heat absorption occurs on the cooling surface 76b and heat generation occurs on the heat radiation surface 76a, so that the discharge thermally connected to the cooling surface 76b The temperature of electrode 78 decreases. When the temperature of the discharge electrode 78 falls below the dew point temperature of the air taken in through the suction port 72a, condensation occurs on the discharge electrode 78. By connecting the discharge electrode 78 to the negative side of the high voltage transformer 73 and the counter electrode 79 to the positive side of the high voltage transformer 73, negative ions are generated in the water particles 77. Therefore, the electrostatic mist generated at the discharge electrode 78 is negatively charged.

(2-2) Outdoor Unit As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 4 includes a compressor 41, a four-way valve 42, an accumulator 43, an outdoor heat exchanger 44, an outdoor expansion valve 45, an outdoor fan 46, and a housing 47. It is equipped with Furthermore, the outdoor unit 4 includes an outdoor temperature sensor 51. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16, the outdoor temperature sensor 51 is connected to the outdoor control section 82. The compressor 41 , the four-way valve 42 , the accumulator 43 , the outdoor heat exchanger 44 , the outdoor expansion valve 45 , and the outdoor fan 46 are housed in a housing 47 . The housing 47 has a rear opening 47a (see FIG. 2) that sucks in outside air, and a front opening 47b (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that blows out air after heat exchange. The rear opening 47a is arranged on the rear side of the housing 47. The outdoor unit 4 functions as a heat source unit that supplies thermal energy to the indoor unit 2.

The compressor 41 sucks in gas refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it. The compressor 41 is, for example, a variable capacity compressor whose operating capacity can be changed by adjusting the operating frequency of the compressor motor 41m using an inverter. The higher the operating frequency, the greater the operating capacity of the compressor 41. The four-way valve 42 has four ports. The first port P1 of the four-way valve 42 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 41. The second port P2 of the four-way valve 42 is connected to one entrance and exit of the outdoor heat exchanger 44. The third port P3 of the four-way valve 42 is connected to the accumulator 43. The fourth port P4 of the four-way valve 42 is connected to one entrance/exit of the indoor heat exchanger 21.

The accumulator 43 is connected between the third port P3 of the four-way valve 42 and the suction port of the compressor 41. The outdoor heat exchanger 44 has the other inlet/outlet connected to one inlet/outlet of the outdoor expansion valve 45 . The outdoor expansion valve 45 has the other inlet and outlet connected to the other outlet and outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 21 . The outdoor heat exchanger 44 exchanges heat between the refrigerant that has flowed into the interior through one or the other entrance and the outside air.

In the outdoor unit 4, an outdoor control section 82 that constitutes the controller 8 is arranged. The outdoor control section 82 is connected to the indoor control section 81. The outdoor control unit 82 is connected to the motor 41m of the compressor 41, the four-way valve 42, the outdoor fan motor 46m, and the outdoor temperature sensor 51. The controller 8 can control the operating frequency of the motor 41 m of the compressor 41 , the opening degree of the four-way valve 42 , and the rotational speed of the motor 46 m of the outdoor fan 46 using the outdoor control unit 82 .

The refrigerant circuit 13 includes a compressor 41 , a four-way valve 42 , an accumulator 43 , an outdoor heat exchanger 44 , an outdoor expansion valve 45 , and an indoor heat exchanger 21 . A refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 13 . Examples of the refrigerant include fluorocarbons such as R32 refrigerant and R410 refrigerant, and carbon dioxide. In the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant is compressed and heated by the compressor 41, and then the refrigerant radiates heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 44 or the indoor heat exchanger 21. Further, in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant is depressurized and expanded in the outdoor expansion valve 45, and then the refrigerant absorbs heat in the indoor heat exchanger 21 or the outdoor heat exchanger 44. In the accumulator 43, gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 41 is performed. The four-way valve 42 switches the direction of the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 13 .

(2-3) Ventilation device 6
The ventilation device 6 shown in FIG. 2 of this embodiment includes an adsorption rotor 61, a heater 62, a switching damper 63, an air supply/exhaust fan 64, an adsorption fan 65, a duct 66, an air supply/exhaust hose 68, and a housing 69. . The ventilation device 6 is integrated with the outdoor unit 4. However, the ventilation device 6 and the outdoor unit 4 can also be configured as separate, separate units. The ventilation device 6 has an air supply function and an exhaust function. The ventilation device 6 can switch between air supply operation and exhaust operation, but cannot perform air supply operation and exhaust operation at the same time. Further, the ventilation device 6 has a humidifying function. During humidification operation, the ventilation device 6 takes in moisture from the outside air. The ventilation device 6 can generate highly humid air by adding the moisture taken in to the outside air. The ventilation device 6 sends this highly humid air to the indoor unit 2. The indoor unit 2 mixes high-humidity outside air sent from the ventilation device 6 with indoor air during humidification operation. The indoor unit 2 humidifies the room by blowing air mixed with high-humidity air into the room RM (indoor).

Ventilator 6 is controlled by controller 8 . The controller 8 is connected to an adsorption rotor motor 61m, a heater 62, a switching damper motor 63m, an air supply/exhaust fan motor 64m, and an adsorption fan motor 65m (see FIG. 16).

The ventilation device 6 can also stop the humidifying operation and send outside air to the indoor unit 2 without humidifying. The indoor unit 2 mixes the outside air sent from the ventilation device 6 with indoor air during air supply operation. The indoor unit 2 can supply outside air into the room by blowing out air mixed with outside air into the room RM (indoors). Further, the ventilation device 6 can also stop the humidifying operation and exhaust the indoor air from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor OD without humidifying. During the exhaust operation, the indoor unit 2 can exhaust the indoor air in the room RM to the outdoors OD. Since the ventilation device 6 supplies and exhausts air through the ventilation duct 28, it cannot supply and exhaust air at the same time. The ventilation device 6 switches between air supply and exhaust air using a switching damper 63, which will be described later.

The ventilation device 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an adsorption rotor 61, a heater 62, a switching damper 63, an air supply/exhaust fan 64, an adsorption fan 65, a duct 66, and a housing 69. There is. Further, the ventilation device 6 includes an air supply/exhaust hose 68 . The housing 69 of the ventilation device 6 is attached to the housing 47 of the outdoor unit 4. The ventilation device 6 has a housing 69 including an adsorption air outlet 69a, an adsorption air intake 69b, and a humidification air intake 69c.

The suction rotor 61 is, for example, a disc-shaped humidity control rotor with a honeycomb structure. The adsorption rotor 61, which is a humidity control rotor, is formed, for example, by firing an adsorbent that has a property of adsorbing moisture in the air with which it comes into contact. The adsorbent of the adsorption rotor 61 has the property of desorbing the adsorbed moisture when heated. When unheated air passes through the honeycomb-structured adsorption rotor 61, moisture in the air is adsorbed by the adsorption rotor 61. When heated air passes through the honeycomb-structured adsorption rotor 61, moisture in the adsorption rotor 61 is added to the air. The suction rotor 61 is driven and rotated by a motor 61m. The rotation speed of the suction rotor 61 can be changed by changing the rotation speed of the motor 61m.

The heater 62 is arranged between the humidifying air intake 69c and the switching damper 63. The outside air taken in from the humidifying air intake port 69c passes through the heater 62, and then further passes through the suction rotor 61 and reaches the switching damper 63. When the air heated by the heater 62 passes through the adsorption rotor 61, moisture is desorbed from the adsorption rotor 61, and the moisture is supplied from the adsorption rotor 61 to the heated outside air. The heater 62 can change its output, and the temperature of the air passing through the heater 62 can be changed by changing the output. Within a specific temperature range, the adsorption rotor 61 tends to desorb more moisture as the temperature of the air passing through the adsorption rotor 61 increases. By changing the temperature of the heater 62 and the rotational speed of the adsorption rotor 61, the amount of moisture added to the outside air can be adjusted.

The switching damper 63 has a first entrance/exit 63a and a second entrance/exit 63b. The switching damper 63 can switch the inlet of air from which air is taken in when the air supply/exhaust fan 64 is operating, to be the first inlet/outlet 63a or the second inlet/outlet 63b. When the air inlet of the switching damper 63 is the first inlet/outlet 63a, the outside air flows in the direction of the arrow shown by the solid line in FIG. The air flows through the rotor 61, the first inlet/outlet 63a, the air supply/exhaust fan 64, the second outlet/exhaust 63b, the duct 66, the air supply/exhaust hose 68, and the indoor unit 2 in this order. When the air inlet of the switching damper 63 is switched to the second inlet/outlet 63b, conversely, in the direction of the arrow shown by the broken line in FIG. Air flows through the entrance/exit 63b, the air supply/exhaust fan 64, the first entrance/exit 63a, the suction rotor 61, the heater 62, the suction rotor 61, and the humidifying air intake 69c. Switching of the switching damper 63 is performed by a motor 63m.

The air supply/exhaust fan 64 is arranged between the first entrance/exit 63a and the second entrance/exit 63b of the switching damper 63. The air supply/exhaust fan 64 generates a flow of air from the first entrance/exit 63a toward the second entrance/exit 63b or from the second entrance/exit 63b toward the first entrance/exit 63a. The supply/exhaust fan 64 is driven by a motor 64m. The supply/exhaust hose 68 has one end connected to the duct 66 and the other end connected to the indoor unit 2. With this configuration, the air supply/exhaust hose 68 and the room RM are communicated via the indoor unit 2.

A suction fan 65 is disposed in a passage leading from the suction air intake 69b to the suction air outlet 69a, and the suction rotor 61 is disposed so as to span this passage. When the suction fan 65 generates an airflow from the suction air intake port 69b toward the suction air outlet 69a, moisture is adsorbed from the outside air passing through the suction rotor 61 to the suction rotor 61. The suction fan 65 is driven by a motor 65m.

The motor 61 m of the suction rotor 61 , the motor 63 m of the switching damper 63 , the motor 64 m of the supply/exhaust fan 64 , the motor 65 m of the suction fan 65 , and the heater 62 are connected to the outdoor control section 82 . The controller 8 can control the rotational speed of the suction rotor 61 , switching of the switching damper 63 , turning on/off of the air supply/exhaust fan 64 and the suction fan 65 , and the output of the heater 62 using the outdoor control unit 82 .

(3) Operation of the air conditioner and indoor unit (3-1) Overview The operation modes of the air conditioner 1 include, for example, cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, humidification operation, ventilation operation, air supply operation, and exhaust operation. and air purification operation. Note that each of the various operations described above can be performed individually, but a plurality of operations can also be combined. For example, heating operation and humidification operation, cooling operation and humidification operation, ventilation operation and humidification operation can be combined, and these combinations can be further combined with air purification operation. Furthermore, air supply operation and cooling operation, air supply operation and heating operation, air supply operation and dehumidification operation, and air supply operation and blowing operation can be combined, and these combinations can be further combined with air purification operation. Exhaust operation and cooling operation, exhaust operation and heating operation, exhaust operation and dehumidification operation, and exhaust operation and blowing operation can be combined, and these combinations can be further combined with air purification operation.

(3-2) Cooling Operation Before starting the cooling operation, the indoor control unit 81 of the controller 8 is instructed to perform the cooling operation from, for example, a remote controller (not shown), and is also instructed to specify a target temperature. During cooling operation, the controller 8 switches the four-way valve 42 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. During cooling operation, the four-way valve 42 allows the refrigerant to flow between the first port P1 and the second port P2, and allows the refrigerant to flow between the third port P3 and the fourth port P4. During cooling operation, the four-way valve 42 allows the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 41 to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 44 . In the outdoor heat exchanger 44, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the outside air supplied by the outdoor fan 46. The refrigerant cooled by the outdoor heat exchanger 44 is depressurized by the outdoor expansion valve 45 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 . In the indoor heat exchanger 21, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the air supplied by the cross flow fan 22. The air supplied by the crossflow fan 22 may be only indoor air or both indoor air and outdoor air. The refrigerant warmed by heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger 21 is sucked into the compressor 41 via the four-way valve 42 and the accumulator 43.

Indoor air cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 21 or a mixture of indoor air and outdoor air is blown out from the indoor unit 2 to the room RM, thereby cooling the room. In this air conditioner 1, during cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a refrigerant evaporator to cool the room RM, and the outdoor heat exchanger 44 functions as a refrigerant radiator. The controller 8 controls the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 4 using the indoor control section 81 and the outdoor control section 82 so that the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 31 approaches the target temperature. When only cooling operation is performed, the controller 8 stops the operation of the ventilation device 6.

Note that the operations of the refrigerant circuit 13 in the dehumidifying operation are the same as in the cooling operation, so here, the compressor 41, four-way valve 42, accumulator 43, outdoor heat exchanger 44, outdoor expansion valve 45, and indoor heat exchanger in the dehumidifying operation will be explained. A description of the operation of the device 21 will be omitted.

In the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation, after the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation ends, an internal drying operation is performed to dry the inside of the indoor unit 2. This internal drying operation is similar to an air blowing operation or a heating operation.

(3-3) Heating Operation Before starting the heating operation, the indoor control unit 81 of the controller 8 is instructed to perform the heating operation from, for example, a remote controller, and is also instructed to set the target temperature. During heating operation, the controller 8 switches the four-way valve 42 to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. The four-way valve 42 during heating operation allows refrigerant to flow between the first port P1 and the fourth port P4, and flows the refrigerant between the second port P2 and the third port P3. During heating operation, the four-way valve 42 allows the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 41 to flow into the indoor heat exchanger 21 . In the indoor heat exchanger 21, heat exchange is performed between the air supplied by the cross flow fan 22 and the refrigerant. The air supplied by the cross flow fan 22 may be only indoor air or both indoor air and outdoor air. The refrigerant cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 21 is depressurized by the outdoor expansion valve 45 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 44 . In the outdoor heat exchanger 44, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the outside air supplied by the outdoor fan 46. The refrigerant warmed by heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 44 is sucked into the compressor 41 via the four-way valve 42 and the accumulator 43.

Indoor air heated by the indoor heat exchanger 21 or a mixed air of indoor air and outdoor air is blown out from the indoor unit 2 to the room RM, thereby heating the room. In this air conditioner 10, during heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a radiator for refrigerant to warm the room RM, and the outdoor heat exchanger 44 functions as an evaporator for refrigerant. The controller 8 controls the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 4 using the indoor control section 81 and the outdoor control section 82 so that the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 31 approaches the target temperature. When performing only heating operation, the controller 8 stops the operation of the ventilation device 6.

(3-4) Ventilation Operation Before starting the ventilation operation, the indoor control unit 81 of the controller 8 is instructed to perform the ventilation operation from, for example, a remote controller. During the ventilation operation, the controller 8 stops the compressor 41 and stops the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 13. In the ventilation operation, the target air volume may be instructed from the remote controller, or the indoor unit 2 may automatically select the target air volume. The indoor control unit 81 controls the motor 22m of the crossflow fan 22 so that the target air volume is achieved. For example, the indoor control unit 81 is configured to increase the rotation speed in the order of the LL tap, which has the lowest rotation speed, the L tap, the M tap, and the H tap. In the ventilation operation, indoor air in the room RM is circulated by the indoor unit 2. When performing only ventilation operation, the controller 8 stops the operation of the ventilation device 6.

(3-5) Humidification Operation Before starting the humidification operation, the indoor control unit 81 of the controller 8 is instructed to perform the humidification operation from, for example, a remote controller, and is also instructed to set the target humidity. During humidification operation in which only humidification is performed, the controller 8 stops the compressor 41 and stops the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 13. However, for example, in humidifying heating operation or humidifying cooling operation, the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 13 is also performed simultaneously with the humidifying operation. When combining humidification operation and ventilation operation, the air volume can be changed by instructions from a remote controller, for example.

Upon receiving the humidification operation instruction, the controller 8 first causes the ventilation device 6 to dry the air supply and exhaust hose 68 . After the air supply/exhaust hose 68 is dried, the controller 8 starts humidifying the ventilation device 6 . The controller 8 controls the suction fan 65 to drive and the suction rotor 61 to rotate. When the suction fan 65 is driven to cause outside air to pass through the suction rotor 61, the suction rotor 61 adsorbs moisture from the outside air. As the suction rotor 61 rotates, a portion of the suction rotor 61 where moisture is adsorbed moves to a location through which air heated by the heater 62 passes. As a result, moisture is desorbed from the adsorbed portion of the adsorption rotor 61 into the heated air. The highly humid air that has passed through the adsorption rotor 61 is sent to the room RM by the air supply/exhaust fan 64 through the air supply/exhaust hose 68 and the indoor unit 2. In the humidification operation, the indoor control unit 81 drives the cross-flow fan 22 of the indoor unit 2 in order to blow out high-humidity air into the room RM. The controller 8 controls the indoor unit 2, the outdoor unit 4, and the ventilation device 6 so that the humidity detected by a predetermined humidity sensor approaches the target humidity. The predetermined humidity sensor is a humidity sensor provided in a flow path through which air flows in the ventilation device 6 and the indoor unit 2. The predetermined humidity sensor includes, for example, the indoor humidity sensor 32 and the humidity sensor attached to the ventilation duct 28.

(3-6) Air Supply Operation Before starting the air supply operation, the indoor control unit 81 of the controller 8 is instructed to perform the air supply operation from, for example, a remote controller. Humidification operation is stopped during air supply operation. Furthermore, when air supply operation is performed without cooling or heating, the controller 8 stops the compressor 41 and stops the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 13. However, for example, when cooling while supplying air, dehumidifying while supplying air, or heating while supplying air, controller 8 drives compressor 41 to implement a refrigeration cycle in refrigerant circuit 13. do. When combining air blowing operation and air supply operation, the air volume can be changed by instructions from a remote controller, for example.

In order to stop humidification during air supply operation, the rotation of the suction fan 65 and the suction rotor 61 is stopped. In the air supply operation, the controller 8 controls the motor 64m to drive the supply/exhaust fan 64. Further, in the air supply operation, the controller 8 switches to the air supply state by controlling the switching damper 63. In the air supply state, outside air is taken in from the humidifying air intake 69c and blown out into the room RM through the air supply/exhaust hose 68 and the indoor unit 2. In the air supply operation, the indoor control unit 81 drives the crossflow fan 22 of the indoor unit 2 in order to blow outside air into the room RM. During the air supply operation, the ventilation duct 28 functions as an air supply duct that directly supplies outside air that has not been humidified by the ventilation device 6.

(3-7) Exhaust operation Before the exhaust operation starts, the indoor control unit 81 of the controller 8 is instructed to perform the exhaust operation from, for example, a remote controller. During the exhaust operation, the humidification operation is stopped. Furthermore, when performing the exhaust operation without performing cooling or heating, the controller 8 stops the compressor 41 and stops the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 13. However, for example, when performing cooling while exhausting, dehumidifying while exhausting, or heating while exhausting, the controller 8 drives the compressor 41 to perform the refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 13.

In order to stop humidification during exhaust operation, the rotation of the suction fan 65 and the suction rotor 61 is stopped. In the exhaust operation, the controller 8 controls the motor 64m to drive the supply/exhaust fan 64. Further, in the exhaust operation, the controller 8 switches to the exhaust state by controlling the switching damper 63. In the exhaust state, indoor air is exhausted from the room RM through the indoor unit 2 and the supply/exhaust hose 68 from the humidifying air intake port 69c. During the exhaust operation, the ventilation duct 28 functions as an exhaust duct for the exhaust operation by the ventilation device 6.

(3-8) Air Purifying Operation The air conditioner 1 can perform air cleaning operation using the electrostatic atomizer 70. Here, the air cleaning operation is an operation that suppresses harmful components and/or odor components in the air. The air cleaning operation is, for example, an operation in which harmful components or odor components are suppressed using water particles (electrostatic mist) containing ions generated by the electrostatic atomizer 70. The air cleaning operation using the electrostatic atomizer 70 is performed together with other operations such as cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, humidification operation, ventilation operation, air supply operation, exhaust operation, or a combination thereof.

When air purification operation and exhaust operation are combined, or when air purification operation and exhaust operation are further combined with cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation, or ventilation operation, water particulates 77 containing ions are removed from the room by exhaust operation. Once discharged, the ability to suppress harmful or odor components decreases. Therefore, in order to suppress the water particles 77 containing ions from being discharged outdoors, the air conditioner 1 is configured so that the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28, which functions as an intake port of the exhaust duct, communicates with the first space R1. A discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 communicates with the second space R2.

After the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation ends, an internal drying operation may be performed in which the inside of the indoor unit 2 is dried by a blowing operation or a heating operation. When the internal drying operation is performed, it is possible to suppress the growth of mold and various bacteria inside the indoor unit 2, and to keep the inside of the indoor unit 2 clean. During or after the internal drying operation, the controller 8 performs control so that the electrostatic atomization unit 75 operates simultaneously with the exhaust operation. If the exhaust operation is performed during the internal drying operation or after the internal drying operation, dust inside the housing will pass through the supply and exhaust hose, so by operating the electrostatic atomization unit 75, the inside of the supply and exhaust hose is can be sterilized.

(4) Modification example (4-1) Modification example A
In the embodiment described above, the case where the electrostatic atomizer 70 and the electrostatic atomizer unit 75 are arranged inside the casing 23 has been described. However, the electrostatic atomizer 70 and the electrostatic atomizer unit 75 may be arranged outside the casing 23.

(4-2) Modification B
In the embodiment described above, the electrostatic atomizer 70 and the electrostatic atomizer unit 75 take in air from outside the blowing space FS (first space R1 and second space R2). However, the air sent to the electrostatic atomizer 70 and the electrostatic atomizer unit 75 may be taken in from the second space R2, as shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 15. For example, the inlet 72a of the electrostatic atomizer 70 may communicate with the second space R2 downstream of the air filter 24 and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 21. Even in that case, the discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 may be connected, for example, to the side wall 23w of the scroll part connected to the blow-off port 23b of the casing 23. In this case, the suction port 72a and the discharge port 75a communicate with the second space R2.

(4-3) Modification C
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the electrostatic atomization unit 75 is arranged in the electrostatic atomization device 70 and the blower device 74 blows out electrostatic mist from the outlet 23b of the casing 23. However, the blower device 74 may be omitted. For example, the blower device 74 may be omitted by locating the electrostatic atomization unit 75 in the air flow of the second space R2.

(4-4) Modification D
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which outside air is blown out toward the indoor heat exchanger 21 from the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28. However, the direction in which outside air is blown out from the ventilation duct 28 is not limited to the direction toward the indoor heat exchanger 21. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, outside air may be blown out from the ventilation duct 28 in a direction perpendicular to the direction toward the indoor heat exchanger 21. In other words, outside air may be blown out from the ventilation duct 28 along the longitudinal direction D1.

(4-5) Modification E
In the above embodiment, the case where the exhaust duct is the ventilation duct 28 has been described. However, the exhaust duct is not limited to the ventilation duct 28. For example, instead of the ventilation device 6, an exhaust device that does not have an air supply function and only exhausts indoor air may be provided outdoors. If an exhaust device is installed, an exhaust duct is arranged in the casing 23 instead of the ventilation duct 28. In such a configuration, the indoor unit 2 cannot perform an air supply operation, but can perform an exhaust operation and exhaust indoor air into the room RM (indoor). The arrangement relationship between the exhaust duct and the electrostatic atomization unit 75 can be set in the same manner as the arrangement relationship between the ventilation duct 28 and the electrostatic atomization unit 75.

(4-6) Modification example F
In the embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 is connected to the side wall 23w of the scroll portion and communicated with the second space R2. However, the location where the discharge port 75a is connected is not limited to the side wall 23w of the scroll portion. The discharge ports 75a may be arranged at the arrangement positions PL1, PL2, and PL3 shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 4. The arrangement position PL1 faces the second space R2 and is located between the front surface of the casing 23 and the air filter 24 in side view. The arrangement position PL2 faces the second space R2 and is located between the air filter 24 and the indoor heat exchanger 21 in side view. The arrangement position PL3 faces the second space R2 and is located between the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the cross flow fan 22 in side view.

(4-7) Modification example G
In the above embodiment, the water particles 77 containing ions have been exemplified as the liquid particles containing ions. However, the liquid particles containing ions are not limited to the water particles 77 containing ions. For example, the liquid may be a liquid containing water and components other than water.

(4-8) Modification H
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the ventilation device 6 has a humidifying function. However, the ventilation device 6 may be a ventilation device that does not have a humidifying function.

(5) Features (5-1)
The above-described air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 2 capable of emitting water particles 77 containing ions by discharge during an exhaust operation for exhausting indoor air to the outdoors. The water particles 77 containing ions are an example of liquid particles containing ions. The indoor unit 2 includes a crossflow fan 22, a casing 23, an electrostatic atomization unit 75, and a ventilation duct 28 that is an exhaust duct. The casing 23 houses the cross-flow fan 22 and has an air outlet 23b communicating with the ventilation space FS through which the laminar flow generated by the cross-flow fan 22 passes.

The electrostatic atomization unit 75 is housed in the casing 23 and has a discharge port 75a that discharges water particles 77 into the ventilation space FS. The ventilation duct 28, which functions as an exhaust duct during exhaust operation, has an opening 28a as an intake port that communicates with the ventilation space FS. The air blowing space FS includes a first space R1 and a second space R2 that are divided into two by a virtual plane VP that passes through the center CE in the longitudinal direction D1 of the cross flow fan 22 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1. The opening 28a, which is the intake port of the exhaust duct, communicates with the first space R1. The discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 communicates with the second space R2.

In the air conditioner 1, the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28, which functions as an intake port of the exhaust duct, communicates with the first space R1, and the discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 communicates with the second space R2. There is. In the air conditioner 1 configured as described above, water particles 77 released from the electrostatic atomization unit 75 during exhaust operation are sucked through the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28, which is the intake port of the exhaust duct, and are discharged outside. It is possible to suppress the

When combining cooling operation, exhaust operation, and air purification operation, heating operation, exhaust operation, and air purification operation, or dehumidification operation, exhaust operation, and air purification operation, the rotation speed of the cross flow fan 22 may be minimized. be. The case where the rotation speed is set to the minimum is, for example, when the indoor temperature approaches the target set temperature or when the indoor humidity approaches the target set humidity. In such a case, the air flow toward the opening 28a may be stronger than the air flow generated by the crossflow fan 22, and by arranging the opening 28a and the discharge port 75a apart from each other, the water It works effectively to suppress the fine particles 77 from being discharged outside. Further, even when the water particles 77 released from the outlet 23b are sucked in again from the suction port 23a of the indoor unit 2 due to a short circuit, the opening 28a is arranged in the first space R1 and the second space R2 apart from each other. The arrangement of the water particles 77 and the discharge port 75a effectively prevents the water particles 77 from being discharged to the outside. The direction of the air sucked in by the exhaust operation and the direction of the airflow generated by the crossflow fan 22 are opposite to each other. As the rotational speed of the crossflow fan 22 decreases, and as the discharge port 75a approaches the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28, the amount of water particles 77 exhausted outside by the exhaust operation increases.

(5-2)
In the above-described air conditioner 1, the air intake port of the exhaust duct is located closer to one end E1 of the cross flow fan 22 than the plane VS that divides the air blowing space FS into two. The discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 is arranged at a position closer to the other end than the plane. Since the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28 and the discharge port 75a of the electrostatic atomization unit 75 arranged in this way are sufficiently separated in the longitudinal direction D1 of the cross flow fan 22, the water particles 77 are sucked through the opening 28a and are discharged outside the room. can be sufficiently suppressed from being discharged.

(5-3)
In the air conditioner 1 described above, the ventilation duct 28 used for supplying and exhausting air is used as the exhaust duct. The electrostatic atomization unit 75 is arranged in a space nearer to the second space R2 among the spaces obtained by dividing the internal space of the casing 23 by the plane VS other than the blowing space FS. Although the humidity of the supplied air may be high depending on the outside air conditions during air supply, since the electrostatic atomization unit 75 is located at the position described above, water particles 77 can be stably generated. It is possible to suppress problems that cannot be avoided.

(5-4)
In the air conditioner 1 described above, the controller 8 causes the electrostatic atomization unit 75 to perform the exhaust operation during or after the internal drying operation for drying the inside of the indoor unit 2 after the end of the air conditioning operation. Control to operate. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ventilation duct 28 (exhaust duct) from being contaminated by the water particles 77 discharged from the electrostatic atomization unit 75 into the ventilation space FS due to the internal drying operation. In particular, it is preferable that the internal drying operation be performed during the cooling operation and the dehumidification operation in which the inside is moist. Therefore, the controller 8 is configured to control the electrostatic atomization unit 75 to operate at the same time as the exhaust operation is performed during or after the internal drying operation after the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation ends. It is preferable that

(5-5)
The airflow generated by the cross-flow fan 22 becomes weaker at a location near the side wall 23w. Therefore, even if the discharge port 75a is arranged downstream of the cross-flow fan 22, it is preferable that the discharge port 75a is located far from the opening 28a of the ventilation duct 28. Therefore, it is preferable that the discharge port 75a is provided in the side wall 23w near the other end E2 of the cross flow fan 22, rather than connected to the side wall of the scroll portion near the one end E1 of the cross flow fan 22.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in the claims. .

1 Air conditioner 2 Indoor unit 6 Ventilator 8 Controller 22 Cross flow fan 23 Casing 23a Suction port 23b Outlet port 24 Air filter (Example of pre-filter)
28 Ventilation duct (Example of exhaust duct)
28a Opening (example of intake port)
75 Electrostatic atomization unit 75a Discharge port E1 One end of cross flow fan E2 Other end of cross flow fan FS Ventilation space R1 First space R2 Second space

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-44877

Claims (7)

An air conditioner comprising an indoor unit (2) capable of emitting liquid particulates containing ions by electric discharge during an exhaust operation that exhausts indoor air to the outdoors,
The indoor unit is
Cross flow fan (22),
a casing (23) that houses the cross-flow fan and has an air outlet (23b) that communicates with a blowing space (FS) through which the laminar flow generated by the cross-flow fan passes;
an electrostatic atomization unit (75) that is housed in the casing and has a discharge port (75a) that discharges the liquid particles into the ventilation space;
an exhaust duct (28) having an intake port (28a) communicating with the ventilation space;
Equipped with
The ventilation space includes a first space (R1) and a second space (R2) that are divided into two by a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction passing through the center of the longitudinal direction of the cross flow fan,
The intake port of the exhaust duct communicates with the first space,
An air conditioner (1), wherein the discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit communicates with the second space. The cross flow fan has one end (E1) and the other end (E2),
The intake port of the exhaust duct is arranged at a position closer to the one end than the plane dividing the ventilation space into two,
The discharge port of the electrostatic atomization unit is arranged at a position closer to the other end than the plane,
An air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. The exhaust duct is a ventilation duct (28) used for supplying and exhausting air,
The electrostatic atomization unit is arranged in a space near the second space among spaces obtained by dividing the internal space of the casing other than the ventilation space by the plane,
An air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2. The indoor unit includes a pre-filter (24) that is disposed upstream of the crossflow fan in the ventilation space and removes dust from the air flowing into the ventilation space,
The intake port of the exhaust duct is arranged at a position where a part of the air taken in during exhaust passes through the pre-filter.
An air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2. A controller (8) that controls air conditioning operation, the exhaust operation, and the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit,
The controller controls the electrostatic atomization unit to operate at the same time as the exhaust operation is performed during or after an internal drying operation for drying the inside of the indoor unit after the air conditioning operation ends. ,
An air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2. A controller (8) that controls air conditioning operation, the exhaust operation, and the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit,
The controller controls the electrostatic atomization unit to operate even if the indoor unit is stopped when performing the exhaust operation.
An air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2. the outlet of the electrostatic atomization unit is located downstream of the crossflow fan;
An air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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