JP3573157B2 - Gas enrichment equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gas enrichment device for improving a predetermined gas concentration in air relatively to other gases, and an air conditioner using the same .

  Conventionally, oxygen-enriching devices and nitrogen-enriching devices have been used as medical enrichment devices that use a selective gas permeable membrane or an adsorbent such as the PSA method to relatively increase the concentration of specific gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. It is used in equipment such as equipment, air conditioners, and air purifiers.

  For example, in order to improve the oxygen concentration, an outdoor unit of a separation type air conditioner is provided with oxygen enrichment means, and oxygen-enriched air is sent to an indoor unit via a delivery pipe, and discharged to the indoor side to be air-conditioned. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique for improving the oxygen concentration in a room, which is a space, to maintain and improve the comfort of a resident.

  On the other hand, in an oxygen enrichment operation performed using an oxygen-enriched membrane that is one of such selective gas permeable membranes, the oxygen-enriched membrane separates nitrogen, which accounts for the majority of the air component, from oxygen, and gives priority to oxygen. Although it has the property of transmitting light, it also has the characteristic of transmitting moisture in the air at the same time.

  Therefore, the humidity of the secondary air after passing through the oxygen-enriched membrane becomes relatively higher than that of the primary air entering the oxygen-enriched membrane by the amount of nitrogen separated. As a result, the dew point rises compared to the air on the primary side, and condensed water is often generated in the delivery pipe on the secondary side after passing through the oxygen-enriched membrane.

  For this reason, such dew water is diffused by the indoor unit of the air conditioner, causing the inside of the room to be wet or causing the user to feel uncomfortable. Therefore, conventionally, a cooler is provided in the transport path of the oxygen-enriched air of the indoor unit to forcibly dew the contained moisture and a water separator is provided to prevent the moisture from scattering into the room. .

In such a gas enrichment operation using a selective gas permeable membrane or an adsorbent such as a PSA method, not only oxygen but also the relative humidity inevitably rises on the secondary side of the gas enrichment apparatus and the dew point increases. And dew condensation tends to occur.
JP-A-5-113227 JP 2002-39569 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology has the following problems.

That is, on the secondary side after passing through the gas enrichment device, when the transport route of the gas-enriched gas is exposed to the outdoor atmosphere and the atmospheric temperature is low, the dew condensation water freezes inside the transport route. Therefore, there is a problem that the gas-enriched gas cannot be transported. Further, when dew condensation water is generated in the transport route, pulsation occurs in the gas flow in the transport route, generating abnormal noise, and explosive sounds in which water droplets burst. Therefore, there is a problem that those sounds are propagated to the indoor side where the user lives and give the user discomfort. Further, when these dew water flows back to a decompression pump or the like which is a driving means for passing air or the like through the gas enrichment device, the life of these internal components is affected, or the liquid is compressed by compressing the dew water. There is a problem that the compression mechanism is damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and minimizes the generation of dew condensation water in a gas-enriched gas transport path of a gas enrichment device, even when the outside air temperature is low. To provide a gas enrichment device and a differential pressure generating device capable of preventing condensation of condensed water in a transport route, securing a flow rate in the transport route, and enabling stable operation of a pump and the like, and an air conditioner using the same. It is an object.

  The gas enrichment device of the present invention is gas-enriched by passing at least a gas enrichment means, a differential pressure generating means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and passing the first gas through the gas enrichment means. An air supply passage for supplying the second gas and a flow path opening / closing unit for supplying a third gas having a lower relative humidity than the second gas to the air supply passage are provided.

  According to the gas enrichment device of the present invention, and the differential pressure generating device used therefor, and the air conditioner, the gas that has been enriched to increase the relative humidity is prevented from being condensed in the air supply passage, or the dew is condensed. The dew condensation water is discharged or re-evaporated, so that the dew condensation water stays in the air supply passage and the generation of noise can be suppressed, and the stable operation of the gas enrichment device can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a case will be described in which an oxygen enrichment device is applied as a gas enrichment device to a separation-type air conditioner used for air conditioning in a living space.

(Embodiment 1)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which a pressure reducing pump is used as a differential pressure generating means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means.

  The gas enrichment device 30 includes an oxygen enrichment unit 1 serving as a gas enrichment unit, a pressure reducing pump 2 serving as a differential pressure generating unit, an air supply passage 3, and a flow passage opening / closing valve 4 serving as a flow passage opening / closing device. It is composed of a temperature sensor 5 as a temperature detecting means, a control means 6 and the like, and is entirely housed in a housing 7. A discharge main pipe 8 is connected to the discharge side of the decompression pump 2 to supply gas-enriched gas to a place where they are used. The flow path on-off valve 4 is connected to the air supply passage 3 by a branch pipe 9 branched from the air supply passage 3, and the flow resistance member 10 and the introduction pipe 11 are connected. The oxygen enrichment unit 1 may be a permselective membrane that selectively permeates a specific gas, or may be a selective adsorption membrane that adsorbs a specific gas.

  In the gas enrichment device 30 configured as described above, the atmosphere 12 as the first gas to be gas-enriched is sucked by the decompression pump 2 provided on the outlet side of the oxygen enrichment unit 1 so that the oxygen enrichment unit 1, oxygen is selectively permeated by a permselective membrane or the like in the oxygen enrichment unit 1, and becomes a second gas having a high oxygen concentration to enter the air supply passage 3. The second gas having a high oxygen concentration is discharged from the air supply passage 3 to the discharge main pipe 8 via the pressure reducing pump 2.

A fan (not shown) for scavenging air having a high nitrogen concentration retained by the oxygen enrichment unit 1 is arranged on the suction side of the oxygen enrichment unit 1, that is, on the atmosphere side. It is possible to operate in conjunction with driving. Further, for example, when the gas enrichment device 30 is used in an air conditioner, the arrangement of the oxygen enrichment unit 1 can be arranged in a blower circuit of an outdoor unit and shared with an outdoor fan.

In addition, an on-off valve such as an electromagnetic two-way valve can be used as the flow-path on-off valve 4 connected to the branch pipe 9, and a capillary tube or the like can be used as the flow resistance member 10. Opening / closing control of the flow path opening / closing valve 4 is controlled based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor 5 serving as a temperature detecting means, based on a signal of the control means 6. Further, when such a gas enrichment device 30 is used by being connected to other devices, the opening and closing of the flow path on-off valve 4 can be controlled by an external control signal from those devices. . The flow path opening / closing valve 4 performs only ON / OFF opening / closing operation. On the other hand, the temperature sensor 5 detects the atmospheric temperature at which the gas enrichment device 30 is installed, the temperature in the vicinity of the oxygen enrichment unit 1, or the temperature of the piping such as the air supply passage 3 and the discharge main pipe 8 constituting the gas enrichment device 30. For example, any temperature can be detected.

  Next, the operation of enriching the atmosphere with oxygen by arranging the gas enrichment device 30 having the above configuration in the outside air will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the pressure reducing pump 2 is operated, the outside air 12 as the first gas is sucked into the oxygen enrichment unit 1, and the air having a high oxygen concentration after passing through the oxygen enrichment unit 1 passes through the air supply passage 3. Then, it is sucked into the decompression pump 2 and further sent out through the discharge main pipe 6.

  Next, the operation of the flow path on-off valve 4 interposed in the branch pipe 9 provided in the air supply passage 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing control specifications of the flow path on-off valve of the gas enrichment device in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a time chart showing operations of the flow path on-off valve and the pressure reducing pump under the same control specification.

  The flow path opening / closing valve 4 is in a closed state when the operation is started. When the pressure reducing pump 2 is operated and the oxygen enrichment operation is performed, the control means 6 controls the opening / closing operation of the flow path opening / closing valve 4 based on the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5.

FIG. 2 shows that the detected outside air temperature is higher in the upper part and lower in the lower part. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, first, when the detected outside air temperature T is at the point a and is higher than the predetermined temperature T1, the flow path on-off valve 4 is in a closed state. On the other hand, when the outside air temperature T falls to the state at the point b and becomes lower than the predetermined temperature T1, the relative humidity of the outside air also increases, so that the oxygen-enriched second gas has a relative humidity of Further rise. For this reason, dew condensation easily occurs in the air supply passage 3 and the discharge main pipe 8, and a phenomenon such as blockage of these piping paths due to freezing of dew condensation water or the like occurs.

  Therefore, when the flow path opening / closing valve 4 is opened, the outside air 13 that becomes at least gas-enriched and becomes a third gas having a lower relative humidity than the gas passing through the air supply passage 3 is supplied through the introduction pipe 11. It is introduced into the passage 3. Therefore, the gas delivered to the discharge main pipe 8 is mixed with the outside air having a relatively low humidity and changes in a direction to ease the dew condensation state.

At this time, the configuration is such that the flow resistance when passing through the introduction pipe 11 is smaller than when passing through the oxygen enrichment unit 1. Therefore, when the flow path opening / closing valve 4 is opened, the outside air is preferentially introduced not from the oxygen enrichment unit 1 side but from the introduction pipe 11 side. In this way, by setting the flow resistance of the introduction pipe 11, the flow resistance member 10, the flow path opening / closing valve 4, and the branch pipe 9 smaller than the flow resistance of the oxygen enrichment unit 1, a higher flow rate of outside air can be obtained. Can be introduced. Therefore, the dew water remaining in the discharge main pipe 8 and the like can be discharged to the outside by increasing the wind speed of the pipe, and the evaporation of the dew water can be promoted. Furthermore, even if the condensed water is frozen in the discharge main pipe 8 or the like, it is possible to remove the condensed water to the outside by these high-speed airflows.

  In the first embodiment, in order to control the flow rate introduced into the introduction pipe 11, the flow resistance member 10 may be provided so that the flow rate becomes optimum. By introducing a gas having a higher temperature than the first gas sucked into the oxygen enrichment unit 1 as the third gas, it is possible to more reliably prevent condensation water from evaporating and freezing the condensation water. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a hysteresis is provided at a predetermined temperature at which the flow path on-off valve 4 is opened and closed when the outside air temperature T rises again. That is, when the outside air temperature decreases, the outside air temperature T set so that the flow path opening / closing valve 4 is opened, and the opening state of the opening / closing valve at the point c in the process of increasing the outside air temperature next. Control is performed so as not to return to the closed state, but to return to the closed state when the outside air temperature T rises to the state at the point d. Of course, T1 = T2 may be set. However, by setting the hysteresis, the flow path on-off valve 4 frequently opens and closes near T1, thereby impairing the reliability of the valve, and the frequent switching noises that make the user feel uncomfortable. Will not be done.

  Further, the detection temperature based on the outside air temperature is compared with a plurality of set outside air temperatures, and as the opening / closing operation of the flow path opening / closing valve 4, the opening time is increased as the outside air temperature becomes lower, thereby preventing freezing of dew condensation water in these paths. It is also possible to aim.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the flow resistance member 10 is provided in the introduction pipe 11. If the flow resistance member 10 is not provided, when the opening control of the flow path opening / closing valve 4 is performed, a large noise is generated due to a sudden change in the suction pressure of the pressure reducing pump 2, but the flow resistance member 10 is connected. This makes it possible to reduce pressure fluctuations and reduce such abnormal noise. Further, as described above, the flow resistance member 10 can also restrict the flow rate, and is constituted by a material having a flow resistance smaller than that of the oxygen enrichment unit 1, which is effective in eliminating dew condensation water and the like. .

  In the above description, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5 is the outside air temperature. However, by using the temperature of the passage such as the air supply passage 3 and the discharge main pipe 8 or the outside air temperature in the vicinity thereof, the generation of dew condensation water on those passages And freezing of dew condensation water can be reliably performed.

  It is also possible to control the flow path on-off valve 4 to open and close intermittently based on a predetermined time or the like irrespective of the outside air temperature. By such a control, for example, a gas enrichment device is provided in an air conditioner or the like, and it is possible to switch between introducing fresh air into a room and sending oxygen-enriched air, thereby providing a ventilation function. Is also possible.

  Further, when the gas enrichment device having such a configuration is used for an air conditioner or the like, the temperature sensor 5 included in the air conditioner itself can be shared and used as the temperature sensor 5, and the control means 6 can be used. It goes without saying that the control unit of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may be incorporated and disposed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, the branch pipe 9 is provided in the air supply passage 3. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a gas inlet is provided directly in the suction side flow path of the pressure reducing pump 2 itself. A branch pipe 20 is connected. Further, the configuration is such that the flow path on-off valve 4 and the like are connected to the branch pipe 20, and the other configuration is common to the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the branch pipe 20 is provided on the side of the decompression pump 2 and processed, so that the air supply passage 3 from the oxygen enrichment unit 1 to the decompression pump 2 is provided. It becomes unnecessary to process the branch. On the other hand, at the time of production of the decompression pump 2, units such as the flow path on-off valve 4 and the branch pipe 20 can be assembled in advance, and can be produced as the decompression pump 2 having the dew condensation water suppressing function.

  In the first embodiment, the operation of the flow path on-off valve 4 is controlled by detecting the outside air temperature. However, for example, the load current applied to the pressure reducing pump 2 is detected, and the discharge main pipe 8 due to the generation or freezing of dew condensation water is detected. The operation may be performed by judging the passage blockage.

  In the first embodiment, the branch pipe 9 is provided in the air supply passage 3, and in the second embodiment, the branch pipe 20 is configured to be directly connected to the suction side flow path of the pressure reducing pump 2. A configuration provided directly is also possible.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, a pressure reducing pump, which is a pressure reducing device, is used as a differential pressure generating means for generating a differential pressure in the oxygen enrichment unit 1 serving as a gas enriching means. In the third embodiment, a pressure device is used instead of the pressure reducing device. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the outside air 12 which is the first gas is pressurized by, for example, a turbo fan 40 which is a pressurizing device, and supplied to an oxygen enriching unit 42 which is a gas enriching means via a blowing path 41. I do. The gas having a high oxygen concentration, which is the second gas discharged from the oxygen enrichment unit 42, is discharged to the air supply passage 43. Here, as in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to use a selective gas permeable membrane or an adsorbent such as a PSA method as the oxygen enrichment unit 42 as in the first and second embodiments. It is effective to use the pressure pump or the blower according to the third embodiment as the differential pressure generating means.

  A flow path opening / closing valve 44 is provided in parallel with the oxygen enrichment unit 42, and a bypass circuit 45 connected to the air supply path 41 and the air supply path 43 is provided. Note that a heater (not shown) may be provided in the bypass circuit 45 to heat the gas passing through the bypass circuit 45. Further, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the opening and closing of the flow passage opening / closing valve 44 using the control means 6 is controlled by the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5 in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. The same is true.

  Therefore, even when a pressurizing device is used as such a differential pressure generating device, the elimination of dew condensation water generated after passing through the oxygen enrichment unit 42 and the prevention of freezing are realized by the opening / closing operation of the flow path opening / closing valve 44. it can.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, it is not necessary to suck a large amount of gas into the suction side of the decompression pump as in the first and second embodiments. The differential pressure can be generated without being affected by the state, that is, the atmospheric pressure.

(Embodiment 4)
A fourth embodiment relating to the opening / closing operation of the flow path opening / closing valve will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of the flow path on-off valve and the pressure reducing pump in the fourth embodiment. The configuration of the gas enrichment device is the same as the configuration described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, when the predetermined outside air temperature T1 is detected by the temperature sensor 5, the opening / closing operation of the flow path opening / closing valve 4 is intermittently operated, and the relative humidity generated through the oxygen enrichment unit 1 is obtained. Before the high-condensed air condenses, a large amount of low-humidity dry air is introduced to prevent freezing.

The outside air referred to here is atmospheric air, and may be air or ambient air in which a decompression pump is arranged.

  In the intermittent operation of the flow path on-off valve 4, when the outside air temperature falls below T1, the opening operation (ON operation) is performed for ta time, and thereafter the closing operation (OFF operation) is performed for tb time. Then, when the outside air temperature becomes higher than T2, the flow path opening / closing valve 4 is closed and the intermittent operation of opening / closing is ended.

  Further, the detection temperature based on the outside air temperature is compared with a plurality of set outside air temperatures, and the operation rate of the opening / closing operation of the flow path on-off valve 4 is increased as the outside air temperature becomes lower, thereby improving the effect of preventing dew condensation water in the pipeline from freezing. It is also possible to plan. Here, the operation rate of the opening / closing operation is a ratio of the opening operation time during the intermittent operation time.

(Embodiment 5)
Embodiment 5 relating to the opening / closing operation of the flow path opening / closing valve will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The configuration of the gas enrichment device is the same as the configuration described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing control specifications of the flow path opening / closing valve 4 using a comparison between the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5 and the set temperature, and FIG. 8 shows a flow path based on the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the on-off valve and the pressure reducing pump.

  As described in the fourth embodiment, when the outside air temperature decreases, the dew water of the gas having a high relative humidity formed through the oxygen enrichment unit 1 freezes, and blocks the air passage. For this reason, when the temperature sensor 5 detects a low outside air temperature, an intermittent operation of the opening and closing operation of the flow path on-off valve 4 is performed, and before the air having a large relative humidity passing through the gas enrichment unit 2 is condensed, a large amount of air is dried. Introduce fresh air to prevent freezing. At this time, when the outside air temperature becomes lower according to the difference in outside air temperature, the freezing in the flow passage is performed by increasing the operation rate of the intermittent operation due to the opening / closing operation of the flow passage opening / closing valve 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in Embodiment 5, the flow path on-off valve 4 performs the opening operation (ON operation) of the flow path on-off valve 4 for ta time when the outside air temperature falls below T3, and thereafter for tb time Opening / closing A operation for performing the closing operation (OFF operation) of. When the outside air temperature becomes higher than T4, the flow path on-off valve 4 is closed to perform a valve closing operation in which the intermittent operation of opening and closing is not performed. On the other hand, when the outside air temperature further falls below T1, the opening operation (ON operation) of the flow path on-off valve 4 is performed for tc time, and thereafter, the opening / closing operation B for performing the closing operation (OFF operation) of the flow path on-off valve 4 for td time. Drive. At this time, the relationship between the time ta and the time tc, which is the opening operation time of the flow path on-off valve 4, is set to ta <tc and further to tc> td.

By doing so, when the outside air temperature is low, dew condensation in the feed passage and the discharge main pipe is reliably eliminated, and a gas enrichment device that is stable and free of abnormal noise is realized. Can be.

(Embodiment 6)
Hereinafter, as a sixth embodiment, an air conditioner including the gas enrichment device according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to an example of a separate type air conditioner including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner including a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit 50 and an outdoor unit 51, and is connected by a connection pipe (not shown) so that the refrigerant gas circulates. An indoor fan 52 is arranged in the indoor unit 50. In the outdoor unit 51, a compressor 53, an outdoor heat exchanger 54, and an outdoor fan 55 are arranged, and an oxygen enrichment device 56 as a gas enrichment device is mounted on an upper portion of the outdoor unit 51 with one room therebetween. Have been.

The oxygen enrichment device 56 is the gas enrichment device 30 described in the first embodiment, and the air, which is the second gas having a high oxygen concentration, which is gas-enriched through the discharge main pipe 8, is used as the housing of the indoor unit 50. A discharge port 57 is provided as discharge means so as to be discharged into or near the inside. When the discharge port 57 is arranged facing the air blow circuit in the housing of the indoor unit 50, the operation of the indoor fan 52 causes the oxygen-enriched air blown out from the discharge port 57 to be blown into the indoor space. Is added to the air-conditioned space. Therefore, the indoor fan 52 is also a diffusion means for diffusing the gas-enriched gas .

  Here, since the configuration and operation of the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner are not related to the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  According to the air conditioner of the present embodiment thus configured, as the oxygen enrichment device 56, the gas enrichment device described in Embodiments 1 to 5 and the control of the differential pressure generation device or the flow path on-off valve A method can be used. Therefore, in addition to the operation for realizing the so-called basic function of the air conditioner, oxygen can be supplied to the air-conditioned space, and the comfort of the occupants can be improved.

  When the oxygen-enriching device 56 sends air having a high oxygen concentration into the room to be air-conditioned, for example, when the relative humidity of the outside air itself in summer is high, or when the outside air in winter is low, the air is supplied to the discharge main pipe 8. Condensation water is more likely to form, especially in winter, when they may freeze. However, according to the present embodiment, the generation of dew condensation water and the freezing of dew condensation water are prevented by intermittently introducing a large amount of outside air having a small relative humidity or the like into the oxygen-enriched air having a large relative humidity. can do. Therefore, air with a high oxygen concentration can be supplied to the air-conditioned space stably and reliably.

  Also, when dew condensation or frozen icing is pushed out by the discharge main pipe 8 or the like, an expanded volume portion is provided in front of the discharge port 57 so that they are not blown directly from the discharge port 57 into the air-conditioned space. It is also possible to evaporate.

(Embodiment 7)
Another embodiment will be described as an air conditioner equipped with a gas enrichment device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner including a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 10, the main configuration of the air conditioner is the same as that of the air conditioner shown in Embodiment 6, and the same reference numerals are given.

  In FIG. 10, an outdoor unit 51 includes a compressor chamber 60 in which a compressor 53, a four-way valve (not shown) and the like are disposed, an oxygen enrichment device including an oxygen enrichment unit 61, a decompression pump 62, and the like. There is an electrical component room 64 in which a control device 63 for controlling the harmony machine is arranged, and these constitute a machine room together. Further, a heat exchanger chamber 65 including an outdoor fan 55 and an outdoor heat exchanger 54 is provided.

  The indoor unit 50 has an indoor fan 52 and a discharge port 57 of an oxygen enrichment device 56.

  The oxygen enrichment device includes an oxygen enrichment unit 61 that is a selective gas permeable membrane, a decompression pump 62 that decompresses the secondary side of the oxygen enrichment unit 61, and an oxygen supply main pipe 66 that connects the air between them, The oxygen supply main pipe 66 includes a three-way valve 68 to which an air introduction pipe 67 is connected, and a discharge main pipe 69 connected to the discharge side of the decompression pump 62. Here, the air introduction port 70 at the end of the air introduction pipe 67 extends into the compressor chamber 60.

  The blower pipe 71 is a pipe connecting the main discharge pipe 69 and the discharge port 57, and is led out of the outdoor unit 51 and introduced into the indoor unit 50.

  A fan (not shown) for scavenging the staying nitrogen-enriched air is arranged on the primary side (atmosphere side) of the oxygen enrichment unit 61, and is linked with the operation of the oxygen enrichment apparatus. It is good to operate it. Here, the primary side of the oxygen enrichment unit 61 is disposed in the air blower circuit of the heat exchanger room 65 having the outdoor fan 55 of the outdoor unit 51, and the primary side of the oxygen enrichment unit 61 is blown by the outdoor fan 55. Of nitrogen-enriched air.

In the above configuration, when the pressure reducing pump 62 is operated, the air in the heat exchanger chamber 65 as the first gas is sucked and passed through the oxygen enrichment unit 61, and the oxygen is supplied as the oxygen-enriched second gas. The air passes through the supply main pipe 66 and the three-way valve 68 and is sucked into the decompression pump 62, passes through the discharge main pipe 69 and the blower pipe 71, and is sent out from the discharge port 57 into the indoor unit 50.

  The flow resistance in the state where the three-way valve 68 is open (meaning the state where the air introduction pipe 67 and the oxygen supply main pipe 66 of the decompression pump 62 communicate with each other) is the state where the three-way valve 68 is closed (the oxygen enrichment unit 61 side). (A state in which the oxygen supply main pipe 66 communicates with the oxygen supply main pipe 66 on the side of the pressure reducing pump 62). Therefore, when the three-way valve 68 is opened, the air is preferentially introduced from the atmosphere introduction port 70 of the atmosphere introduction pipe 67 instead of the oxygen enrichment unit 61 side. Further, since the resistance is small, a larger amount of air can be introduced than in the case where the air passes through the oxygen enrichment unit 61, so that the dew water remaining in the discharge main pipe 69 and the like increases the wind speed of the pipe, and the discharge port It is easy to be pushed to the 57 side, and the amount of evaporation can be improved by improving the wind speed, so that the dew condensation water can be reduced. Further, even if dew condensation water freezes in the path, the icing can be pushed out to the discharge port 57 by the wind speed.

  In the seventh embodiment, an example is shown in which the air introduction port 70 is provided in the compressor chamber 60. The temperature in the compressor room 60 is higher than the external environment temperature of the outdoor unit 51 due to the influence of heat radiation of the compressor 53 and the like. Therefore, the evaporation of the dew condensation water is promoted, and the discharge main pipe 69 and the blower pipe 71 can be dried. If the three-way valve 68 is intermittently and appropriately controlled, the generation and evaporation of dew condensation water will be repeated, so that a large amount of dew condensation water does not accumulate, and control can be performed so that dew condensation does not occur.

  Even if the air introduction port 70 is provided in the electrical component room 64, the same effect can be exerted by heat generated by the control device 63 and the like. By providing the air inlet 70 in the machine room of the outdoor unit 51 in this manner, dust and dirt are not sucked in and the influence of wind and rain can be avoided as compared with the case where air is directly introduced from outside the outdoor unit 51. It becomes possible.

  Further, it is preferable to provide the air inlet 70 in the indoor space. The atmosphere (air) in the indoor space is stable in temperature and humidity, and has less influence on the indoor environment than when air is introduced from the outdoor space. In this case, it is easy to realize by making the blower pipe 71 a double pipe, connecting the air introduction pipe 67 to the outer peripheral side, and opening the other end on the outer peripheral side when the blower pipe 71 enters the indoor space. It is possible.

  Note that the air introduction port 70 can be provided in the heat exchanger chamber 65.

  The gas enrichment device and the differential pressure generating device of the present invention and the air conditioner using them reduce the stagnation and generation of dew condensation water in the gas-enriched gas transportation route as much as possible, when the outside air temperature is low. However, it is possible to prevent freezing of dew condensation water in the transport route, secure a flow rate in the transport route, and provide a stable operation of the pump and the like. Therefore, air purifiers, medical oxygen enrichment devices, portable oxygen enrichment devices, combustion oxygen enrichment devices, etc., including separated air conditioners, vehicle air conditioners, integrated air conditioners, etc. The present invention can be applied to an apparatus having a gas enrichment function.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Diagram showing control specifications of flow path on-off valve of the gas enrichment device Time chart showing the operation of the flow path on-off valve and pressure reducing pump of the gas enrichment device Perspective view showing a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Perspective view showing a gas enrichment device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the flow path on-off valve and the pressure reducing pump in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The figure which shows the control specification of the flow-path on-off valve in Embodiment 5 of this invention. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the flow path on-off valve and the pressure reducing pump according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Perspective view showing a configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

1, 42, 61 Oxygen enrichment unit 2, 62 Pressure reducing pump 3 Air supply passage 4, 44, 68 Flow path opening / closing valve 5 Temperature sensor 6 Control means 8 Discharge main pipe 10 Flow resistance member 11, 70 Atmospheric inlet 30, 56 Gas (Oxygen) enrichment device 40 Pressurizing pump 45 Bypass circuit 50 Indoor unit 51 Outdoor unit 57 Discharge port

Claims (29)

Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means An air supply passage for supplying the second gas, and a fixed opening degree channel opening / closing means for supplying a third gas having a higher flow rate than the gas supply means passes through the gas supply passage. A gas enrichment device comprising: Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means A gas supply passage for supplying the second gas, and a flow for performing only an ON-OFF opening / closing operation for supplying a third gas having a higher flow rate than that passing through the gas enrichment means to the gas supply passage. A gas enrichment device comprising a road opening and closing means . At least a gas enrichment means, a differential pressure generating means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and a second gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means A gas supply device for supplying a third gas having a higher temperature than the first gas to the gas supply passage. . At least a gas enrichment means, a differential pressure generating means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and a second gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means And a flow path opening / closing means for performing only an ON / OFF opening / closing operation for supplying a third gas having a higher temperature than the first gas to the air supply passage. Gas enrichment equipment. Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means An air supply passage for supplying the second gas; and a fixed opening degree channel opening / closing means for supplying a third gas having a lower relative humidity than the second gas to the air supply passage. A gas enrichment device characterized by: Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means An air supply passage for supplying a second gas, and a flow path opening and closing operation for ON / OFF only for supplying a third gas having a lower relative humidity than the second gas to the air supply passage. And a gas enrichment device. The pressure difference generating means is a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure on one side of the gas enrichment means and sucking the first gas, and the third gas is supplied to the suction side flow path of the pressure reducing means by the flow path opening / closing means. The gas enrichment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the gas is supplied . The pressure difference generating means is a pressurizing means for pressurizing one side of the gas enrichment means to push in the first gas, and that the channel opening / closing means is arranged in parallel with the gas enrichment means. The gas enrichment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that: The gas enrichment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the opening and closing of the flow path opening and closing means is controlled by an external control signal . The gas enrichment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a flow resistance member is provided in the passage of the third gas . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a temperature detection unit configured to detect an atmospheric temperature in the vicinity of the gas enrichment unit, wherein opening and closing of the flow path opening and closing unit is controlled according to the atmospheric temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. The gas enrichment device according to claim 6 . A temperature detecting unit that detects an air temperature in the air supply passage or in the vicinity of the air supply passage, and controls opening and closing of the flow passage opening and closing unit according to the air supply passage temperature or the atmospheric temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. The gas enrichment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein: 13. The gas enrichment device according to claim 11, wherein the flow passage opening / closing means is intermittently opened / closed . 14. The gas enrichment device according to claim 13, wherein an operation rate of an intermittent opening / closing operation of the flow passage opening / closing means is controlled . Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means An air supply passage for supplying the second gas, and a fixed opening degree channel opening / closing means for supplying a third gas having a higher flow rate than the gas supply means passes through the gas supply passage. An air conditioner comprising: Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means A gas supply passage for supplying the second gas, and a flow for performing only an ON-OFF opening / closing operation for supplying a third gas having a higher flow rate than that passing through the gas enrichment means to the gas supply passage. An air conditioner comprising a road opening / closing means. At least a gas enrichment means, a differential pressure generating means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and a second gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means An air conditioner comprising: an air supply passage for supplying a third gas having a higher temperature than the first gas to the air supply passage; At least a gas enrichment means, a differential pressure generating means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and a second gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means And a flow path opening / closing means for performing only an ON / OFF opening / closing operation for supplying a third gas having a higher temperature than the first gas to the air supply passage. Air conditioner. Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means An air supply passage for supplying a second gas; and a fixed opening degree channel opening / closing means for supplying a third gas having a lower relative humidity than the second gas to the air supply passage. An air conditioner characterized by: Gas enrichment means using at least a gas enrichment membrane, differential pressure generation means for generating a differential pressure in the gas enrichment means, and gas enriched by passing a first gas through the gas enrichment means An air supply passage for supplying a second gas, and a flow passage opening / closing operation for ON / OFF only for supplying a third gas having a lower relative humidity than the second gas to the air supply passage. And an air conditioner. The pressure difference generating means is a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure on one side of the gas enrichment means and sucking the first gas, and the third gas is supplied to the suction side flow path of the pressure reducing means by the flow path opening / closing means. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 15 to 20 , wherein the air conditioner is supplied . The pressure difference generating means is a pressurizing means for pressurizing one side of the gas enrichment means to push in the first gas, and that the channel opening / closing means is arranged in parallel with the gas enrichment means. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 15 to 20 , wherein: The air conditioner according to any one of claims 15 to 20 , wherein the opening and closing of the flow path opening and closing means is controlled by an external control signal . The air conditioner according to any one of claims 15 to 20 , wherein a flow resistance member is provided in the passage of the third gas . 16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising a temperature detection unit configured to detect an atmospheric temperature in the vicinity of the gas enrichment unit, wherein opening and closing of the flow path opening / closing unit is controlled according to the atmospheric temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. The air conditioner according to claim 20 . A temperature detecting unit that detects an air temperature in the air supply passage or in the vicinity of the air supply passage, and controls opening and closing of the flow passage opening and closing unit according to the air supply passage temperature or the atmospheric temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 15 to 20 , wherein: An air conditioner configured by the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit constitutes a machine room disposed compressor, wherein said third gas is the air of the machine room according The air conditioner according to any one of items 15 to 20 . An air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, wherein the outdoor unit forms an electrical component room in which electrical components are arranged, and the third gas is the atmosphere of the electrical component room. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 15 to 20 , wherein An air conditioner configured by the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the third gas claim 20 claim 15 which is a air of the indoor space where the indoor unit is arranged An air conditioner according to item 1.

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