JP3619649B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

【００３９】
本発明で先に説明した制御機能（Ｉ）（ＩＩ）はこれにも対応することができるよう一旦停止した室内ファン３及び加熱ヒータ２２を更に運転し、室内機本体１内を含め、カビの生長を止め死滅させるものである。
【００４０】
換言するならば、一回目の室内ファン３等の運転終了後、時間をおいて胞子であったカビを発生させ、発芽した所で生長を止め、死滅に追い込むものである。この運転動作はタイマー等を用い最初の操作スイッチを入れたら自動的に行うようにしておけば人手を煩わすことがないものである。又、最初の操作スイッチにしても、継続して停止されていることを検出して、上記操作スイッチが自動的に入るようにしておけば更に効率よく、カビ発生の抑制ができるものである。
【００４１】
以上は空気調和装置内のカビ発生を中心に説明してきたが、室内についてもこのことはいえるものである。
【００４２】
次に図４に於いて、空気調和装置全体としての制御について説明する。図に於いて、１３は空気調和装置の室内機本体１側の制御機構を示し、１４は室外機本体の制御機構を示す。１５は室内制御部、この制御部１５内には先に説明したカビ制御用の制御機能（Ｉ）（ＩＩ）が含まれているものである。通常、操作スイッチ１２のスイッチオンにより本空気調和装置は運転を開始する。
【００４３】
すなわち、操作スイッチ１２のスイッチがオンされると信号線１６，電源回路１７に通電され室外制御部１８の指示により、圧縮機駆動回路１９を介して圧縮機２０が運転されると共に、室外ファンモータ２１が運転され凝縮器（図示せず）の冷却を行う。
【００４４】
一方、室内制御部１５側に於いては温度センサー２３の指示を受け、室内ファン駆動回路２４を介して室内ファン３が回る。この状態が空気調和装置の冷房運転状態である。
【００４５】
すなわち、圧縮機２０の運転に伴い冷却器が冷却され、室内ファン３の運転で、この冷却器と強制的に熱交換させられる室内空気は時間と共にだんだん冷却され、所定温度に近づく、温度センサー２３が予め設定された温度を検出すると室内制御部１５、室外制御部１８に信号が送られ圧縮機２０及び室内ファン３の運転が停止される。そして再び温度センサー２３が運転温度を検出すると、圧縮機２０及び室内ファン３の運転を再開する。これを繰り返すことにより、室内は常に設定された冷却温度に保持される。この過程に於いて、冷却器及び化粧カバー、或いはダクト等には凝縮水が付着する。
【００４６】
尚、冷却器に付着した露は露受皿に滴下し、露受皿内の一部に滞留する。従って、旅行或いはシーズン終了時には当然カビの発生が予期できる。そこで、上記凝縮水を除去すべく操作スイッチ１２のスイッチを押すと室外制御１８が動作し、圧縮機２０、室外ファンモータ２１の運転を止め、室内ファン３及び加熱ヒータ２２を動作させるものである。
【００４７】
このように本発明のカビ抑制機能は前記した室内制御部（基板）内に組み込まれ空気調和装置の一機能として使うことが出来るものである。以上は空気調和装置本体内のカビ抑制を中心に説明してきたが、室内の湿度を検出する湿度センサー２５を設け、室内の湿度をカビの菌糸を死滅させる湿度に、死滅に必要な時間（発明者の一人の実験によればカビの菌糸を死滅させるためには相対湿度５３％以下では２４時間、４３％以下では３時間、３３％以下では１時間が必要である。）保つように圧縮機２０を運転すると共に、旅行或いはシーズンオフ前の処置として、先に記述した制御機能（Ｉ）（ＩＩ）を使うと、室内のカビ発生も同時に防止できるものである。尚、上記相対湿度とカビの生長時間との詳細については、発明者の−人が先に出願した特開平７−２７５３２９号の通りである。
【００４８】
すなわち、室内の相対湿度をカビの菌糸を死滅させる湿度に、死滅に必要な時間保った後、運転を停止させる。これにより、例えば乾燥食器や米のような穀物に付いて繁殖するカビの中で代表的な、アスペルギルスおよびユロチウムが死滅することが確認されている。運転停止の状態で相対湿度７５〜８０％（室温２０℃〜２５℃）を３日〜１週間維持することによって、胞子が発芽することも確認されているので、３日〜１週間経過した所で再び、先の相対湿度６０％（温度２５℃）を約６時間継続する運転を行うよう、室内制御部１５を運転し室内のカビ発生を防止するものである。
【００４９】
次に図５〜図９を用いて本発明を適用した製品について説明する。図５に示す製品は空気調和装置であるが、このものは図１に示した空気調和装置とは異なり、冷房の他に暖房，除湿が行える製品である。尚、製品自体は既に周知の製品であることより、本発明との係わりについてのみ説明する。図において、２ａは室内熱交換器であり、２ｂは再熱用熱交換器である。
【００５０】
而して冷房運転時には上記熱交換器２ａ，２ｂは冷却器（図１の冷却器２相当）として働き、暖房時には両者が加熱器として働く、そして除湿時には再熱用熱交換器２ｂが加熱器として、室内熱交換器２ａは冷却器として働くよう、切換え弁等をもって冷凍サイクルが構成されているものである。この製品に本発明の制御機能を組み込めば、冷房運転時は図１〜図４で説明した通りに働く。
【００５１】
又、除湿運転時に於いても凝縮水の処理は、図１〜図４と同じくなるものである。本製品の特徴は加熱器を持っている点である。先にも縷々説明した如くカビの生長には湿度が欠かせない。この点より、上記加熱器をもって相対湿度のコントロールに使うと、冷却器による空気中の水分除去に合わせ相対湿度を、例えば６０〜６５％以下に低下できるものである。
【００５２】
すなわち、この除湿機能を持った空気調和装置にあっては、温度センサー２３，湿度センサー２５の信号を取り込み、再熱用熱交換器２ｂの加熱量を可変させるように設計すると、本発明は更に効果が出るものである。次に、図６に示す製品は市販の除湿機である。この製品は冷却専用熱交換器２６と再熱専用熱交換器２７をもっている。従って、本製品の場合は図５の空気調和装置の除湿運転時と同様、再熱専用熱交換器２７の加熱量を可変させるよう設計すると、本発明の効果は更に拡大するものである。
【００５３】
次に、図７〜図９をもって説明する製品は、冷凍サイクルを使用しないで室内の水分を除湿する除湿器である。このものは、図７にも示す如く、除湿すべき空気を顕熱交換器２８の一方の通路２８ａより送風ファン３により吸引し、送風ファン３の後方に設置された吸湿材２９で空気中の水蒸気を吸湿して、上記顕熱交換器２８の他方の通路２８ｂより排気すると共に、上記送風ファン３と吸湿材２９の間に断続的にオン，オフする加熱ヒータ３０を設けて、この加熱ヒータ３０により加熱された空気を吸湿材２９を介して、顕熱交換器２８の他方の通路２８ｂへ送り込むことにより、顕熱交換器２８に結露を発生させ且つ、この凝縮水を露受皿７（図示せず）に溜めるようにしたものである。これを原理的に説明したのが図８、図９である。
【００５４】
すなわち、図８は加熱ヒータ３０のオフ時であり、図９が加熱ヒータ３０のオン時を示す図である。このものにおいても、露受皿７部へのカビの発生は勿論顕熱交換器２８，吸湿材２９のカビの発生が当然問題となるので、旅行の際、或いはシーズンオフ時には、加熱ヒータ３０を活用し、上記カビ発生が予期される部分の乾燥が欠かせないものである。
【００５５】
又このものに於いて、胞子まで除去する時には、加熱ヒータ３０の発熱及び送風ファン３の運転を止め、一時点に湿度を６５％以上にし、胞子を発芽させ、その後再び加熱ヒータ３０及び送風ファン３の運転を行えば良いものである。即ち、本装置は図８に示す状態と図９に示す状態がある。図８に示すものは、吸湿材２９に空気中の湿気を吸着させている所である。（この時は顕熱交換器には水が凝縮しない。）図９に示すものは、ヒータで加熱された空気が吸湿材２９に当たる
ことにより、吸湿材２９に吸湿されていた湿気が暖気により追い出される。そして、この湿気を含んだ空気が顕熱交換器に当たることにより、結露に至る。
【００５６】
勿論、結露した凝縮水は図には示してないが、露受皿に溜められるものである。
【００５７】
以上の構成を有する冷凍サイクルを有さぬ除湿機に於いては、先に説明した熱交換器，露受皿の他，吸湿材へのカビの発生が予期される。従って、この吸着材内のカビ除去も、先の露受皿等と同様、行う必要があるものである。以上説明した如く、本発明に於けるカビ発生防止機能は何れも、本体が機能遂行のためにもっている冷却器，加熱装置，送風ファン等を必要に応じ働かせ、カビ生長の必須要件である湿度をコントロールすることにより、カビ発生を、空気調和機本体は勿論、この空気調和装置が据え付けられている室内の、カビ発生の防止（抑制）ができるものである。
【００５８】
【発明の効果】
本発明は以上説明した如く、空気調和機等の電気機器に於いて、カビの発生が予想される機器内は勿論、冷却器、露受皿、及びダクト部等に存在する凝縮水を強制的に蒸発させるのに上記機器のもっているファン等を使うと共に、適宜な位置に湿度センサを設けて、温湿度を調整し、電気機器内の空気流通路（ダクトを含む）、吸込口（フィルターを含む）、吹出口等に存在するカビ（菌糸及び胞子）、及び室内等のカビ（菌糸及び胞子）の除去を行うことが出来るものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明を備えた空気調和装置（室内機）の縦断面図。
【図２】例えば大容量の空気調和機装置の室外機本体及び空気調和機装置の室内機本体を室外に設置し、複数の室Ａ，Ｂ，Ｃを冷却するようにした空気調和装置のダクトでの接続説明図。
【図３】図１の要部拡大図。
【図４】図１に示した空気調和装置（室内、室外を含めた）の制御機構を示すブロック図。
【図５】暖房、冷房、除湿ができる空気調和装置の構成説明図。
【図６】除湿器に適用した例を示す図。
【図７】冷凍サイクルを用いない除湿器の−部切り欠き斜視図。
【図８】図７の動作説明図で、室内空気より湿気を奪っているところを示す図。
【図９】図７の動作説明図で、吸着材に吸着された水分を顕熱交換器に凝縮させているところを示す図。
【図１０】従来−船に市販されている空気調和装置の斜視図。
【図１１】図１０の縦断面図。
【符号の説明】
１…空気調和装置の室内機本体、２…冷却器、３…室内ファン、４…吸込口、５…吹出口、６…エアフイルタ−、７…露受皿、８…化粧カバ−、９…ダクト、１０…風向板、１１…制御機能、１２…操作スイッチ、１３…室内機本体側の制御機構、１４…室外機本体の制御機構、１５…室内制御部、１６…信号線、１７…電源回路、１８…室外制御部、１９…圧縮機駆動回路、２０…圧縮機、２１…室外ファンモータ、２２…室内ファン駆動回路、２３…温度センサ−、２４…加熱ヒータ、２５…湿度センサー、２６…冷却専用熱交換器、２７…再熱専用熱交換器、２８…顕熱交換器、２９…吸湿材、３０…ヒ−タ。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a function of inhibiting the occurrence of molds in electrical equipment such as an air conditioner, and in particular, condensed water that has condensed or accumulated on components or accessory parts (including ducts) of the air conditioner after cooling or dehumidifying operation. This is related to electrical equipment such as an air conditioner that suppresses generation of mold and the like by removing moisture and controlling humidity.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The conventional air conditioner as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. heating. An automatic switching method of dehumidification (including dehumidification reheating type) is widely used. The configuration of the air conditioner 31 includes a cooler 32, a heater 33, a blower fan 34, and the like, and a dew tray 35 that receives condensed water is provided below the cooler 32. A wind direction changing plate 37 is provided at the cold air outlet 36. When the heater 33 is an electric heater or a heat exchanger constituting a refrigeration cycle, warm water or steam may be passed through the heat exchanger.
[0003]
Thus, although the positional configuration of the heater 33 and the cooler 32 may vary depending on the dimensional constraints of the air conditioner and the purpose of use, they are usually arranged as shown in FIG. In the operation of the air conditioner, for example, in the case of cooling operation, when the coolant (refrigerant) flows through the cooler 32 and the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the flow of the coolant is stopped by the temperature control device or the blower is stopped. I let you do. Further, for example, in the dehumidifying operation, a cooling agent is supplied to the cooler 32 to dehumidify it from the air flow, and an operation for raising the temperature of the cooled air by the heater 33 is performed using the temperature control device and the humidity control device.
[0004]
Any air conditioner having such a configuration is operated for the purpose of improving indoor temperature and humidity. For example, if the cooler is too cold or the relative humidity is high and the discomfort occurs due to the purpose of lowering the air temperature or dehumidifying the cooler, raise the room air temperature with the heater to reduce the relative humidity and make it comfortable. Improves sex. An example of this type of general air conditioner is Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-48014.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in this kind of air conditioner, after the operation of the air conditioner is stopped in the cooler 32, the dew tray 35, the cold air outlet 32, the wind direction changing plate 37, or the peripheral structure part thereof, it is high for several days. There is a problem that the humidity state is maintained, and as a result, various types of molds are generated and grown on the surface of the device.
[0006]
According to an investigation by one of the inventors, it was found that there is a close relationship between the relative humidity level and the occurrence of mold on the surface of the device. For example, when the relative humidity is 90% or more, Alternaria (soot mold) and mucol (hair mold) grow, and when it is 70% or more, Aspergillus (powder mold), penicillium (blue mold) and the like grow. It was also found that most molds do not grow at a relative humidity of 60% or less.
[0007]
Therefore, in a commercially available air conditioner, there is a problem that mold that has grown in the airflow passage is scattered into the room by the airflow when the air conditioner is restarted after the high humidity state is maintained and the mold grows. .
[0008]
In particular, there is a secondary adverse effect that a large amount of mites such as the mite of the moss are attached to the mold, and the mites in the carpet become allergens in the human body and have various adverse effects on the human body.
[0009]
Putting these together,
(1) When the air conditioner is stopped for a long time after operation and a high humidity state continues for a long time, mold may grow not only on the dew pan but also on the main body with dew or a cooler. If the operation resumed with this mold, there was a big problem that mold would be scattered inside the room.
[0010]
(2) When mold grows in the air conditioner according to the previous section, there is a problem that mites that feed on mold are generated and become allergens of the human body and have various adverse effects on the human body.
[0011]
(3) Even if the user anticipates the preceding paragraphs (1) and (2) and tries to take measures in advance, the user who has been installed on a wall or the like like an air conditioner unless he calls a cleaning specialist Has a problem that it cannot be cleaned by dew treatment or mold removal.
[0012]
The present invention aims at providing an air conditioner location capable of inhibiting the growth of fungi.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object is to connect the compressor, an outdoor unit having a heat exchanger that becomes a condenser during cooling operation, and an expansion mechanism, and the compressor, the condenser, and the expansion mechanism to constitute a refrigeration cycle, In an air conditioner including an indoor unit having a heat exchanger serving as a cooler during cooling operation, a dew receiving tray provided at a lower portion of the heat exchanger, and a blower fan, the air blower and the dew are provided by a timer. After the heater provided in the saucer is operated for a predetermined time and then stopped, it is provided with a control function for operating the blower fan and the heater again to detect that the cooling operation is continuously stopped. It is accomplished by to Rukoto to operate the control functions.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Cold却器, dew receiving tray, or air conditioner main body, and forcibly evaporates the condensed water present in the duct or the like, and those having a heating device capable of controlling the humidity. Further, the blower fan is forcibly operated as a means for forcibly evaporating the condensed water present in the cooler, the dew receiving tray, the air conditioner main body, the duct portion, and the like and controlling the humidity. In addition, a blower fan or a heating device that is operated as a means for forcibly evaporating condensed water and controlling humidity is automatically operated when one of the following conditions is met.
[0015]
conditions. 1: Every time the cooler is shut down.
[0016]
conditions. 2. When the cooler has been operating for a preset time.
[0017]
conditions. 3. When the cooler has been operating for a preset time and there is condensed water in the cooler, duct, dew tray or the like.
[0018]
conditions. 4. When you go out for a long time on a trip.
[0019]
conditions. 5 ... Before stopping the operation to collect condensed water.
[0020]
In addition, a humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity is provided in an appropriate position such as a place where the humidity is highest in the device or indoors, and the blower fan can maintain the relative humidity at which the mold mycelium dies can be maintained for a predetermined time. An electric device such as an air conditioner provided with a control means that can operate a heating device or the like. Also, a control means for performing an operation of maintaining moisture at 60% or less to give moisture again, inducing germination of spores, and killing mycelia and germination-inducing spores after continuing the humidity at which mold mycelium dies for a predetermined time. It is the one that was put on. In addition, an air conditioner or a dehumidifier having a configuration in which a cooler and a blower fan are provided as electrical equipment, and indoor air is sucked into the equipment and blown out.
[0021]
Also, the humidity is controlled so that mold hyphae and germination-inducing spores present in air flow passages (including ducts), suction ports (including filters), and air outlets in electrical equipment can be killed. It is what I did. In addition, the types of molds are intended for hygroscopic molds, moderately humid molds, and dry molds. In addition, the control means for killing mold mycelium and germination-inducing spores is automatically activated at the time of seasoning off when using electrical equipment or before going out for a long time.
[0022]
Illustrating Embodiment of an embodiment with reference to FIG details following Shitahon invention.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an air conditioner (indoor unit) provided with the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows, for example, an outdoor unit body of a large capacity air conditioner device and an indoor unit body of an air conditioner device, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram in which a plurality of rooms A, B, and C are connected and cooled by a duct. 4 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the air conditioner (including outdoor) shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 5 to 9 are diagrams showing different embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is heating, cooling and dehumidifying. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example applied to a dehumidifier, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are examples in which the present invention is applied to a dehumidifier that performs a dehumidifying action without using a refrigeration cycle. Is shown.
[0024]
First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, 1 is an indoor unit body of the air conditioner, 2 is a cooler, and 3 is an indoor fan. Thus, although not shown in the drawing, the cooler 2 is connected to a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube (expansion valve) and the like installed on the outdoor unit side to constitute a refrigeration cycle. When this indoor unit main body 1 (usually attached to a wall or the like in the room) is operated, the air sucked from the indoor air inlet 4 exchanges heat with the cooler 2 and is indicated by arrows P1 and P2 by the indoor fan 3. The air is again returned to the room through the air outlet 5.
[0025]
By repeating this operation, the temperature of the room where the indoor unit body 1 is installed is cooled to a predetermined temperature (this is the cooling operation). Of course, at this time, the room temperature is adjusted to a set temperature by a temperature controller (not shown). 6 is an air filter. This removes dust in the air sucked into the indoor unit body 1. 7 is a dew receiving tray installed in the lower part of the cooler 2. In the dew receiving tray 7, condensed water in room air that exchanges heat with the cooler 2 is temporarily stored. That is, although not shown in the drawing, most of the condensed water is discharged to the outdoors by a drain pipe connected to the dew tray.
[0026]
However, not all condensed water is discharged to the outside due to the installation state of the air conditioner or the installation state of the drain pipe. Of course, in addition to the dew pan 7, the condensed water adheres to the decorative cover 8, the duct 9, the wind direction plate 10, etc. of the indoor unit depending on the operation conditions due to the heat conduction from the cooler 2 or the heat effect of the cooled cold air. . Reference numeral 11 denotes a control function that suppresses mold from forming on the dew pan 7, the decorative cover 8, the duct 9, the wind direction plate 10, and the like.
[0027]
That is, if the air conditioner is used every day in normal cooling and dehumidifying operation, or if the operation is stopped for a long time after use, the condensed water and humidity cause mold. In other words, during the season of the air conditioner, when the long-term operation is stopped due to travel or the like, or when the season of the air conditioner ends, the above applies. The necessary conditions for the generation of the mold are said to be (a) nutrient (b) oxygen (c) temperature (d) humidity (moisture) (e) time. When considered with an air conditioner, the nutrients in (a) are synthetic resin materials (dew pans, cosmetic covers, etc.) and dust adhering to the inside, and oxygen in (b) is also necessary for human breathing ( The temperature of c) is a living thing for both humans and molds, and there is not much difference in the optimal living temperature.
[0028]
Therefore, it is said that two factors, “humidity” and “time”, can be adjusted. The previous control function 11 is a function that controls only this humidity and time or humidity so that mold does not occur in the air conditioner main body and in the room. That is, when the operation switch 12 provided for operating the control function 11 is pressed before going on a trip or at the end of the season of use, only the indoor fan 3 is operated in the control function (I) of FIG. The indoor air circulates including the interior of the indoor unit main body 1 of the air conditioner so that the condensed water staying in the decorative cover 8, the duct 9, the wind direction plate 10 and the like is forcibly evaporated. Then, when the evaporation of the condensed water at the location is completed, the operation of the indoor fan is temporarily stopped by a timer or the like.
[0029]
A modified example of the duct 9 is shown in FIG. That is, what is shown in FIG. 2 is to cool a plurality of rooms A, B, and C by using the outdoor unit main body 1a and the indoor unit main body 1 of a relatively large capacity air conditioner. Of course, at this time, ducts 9a, 9b, and 9c are connected to the outlet of the indoor fan 3 as shown in the drawing, and the cold air cooled by the cooler 2 is supplied to the chambers A, B, and C through the duct 9. Is. In the case of this type of air conditioner, the indoor unit body 1 (including the cooler 2) is dewed and causes mold generation as described with reference to FIG. 1, but the ducts 9a, 9b, 9c Naturally, condensation occurs. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures against mold in the ducts 9a, 9b, 9c.
[0030]
In the present invention, the control function 11 shown in FIG. 1 is used as a countermeasure against mold in the ducts 9a, 9b, 9c. In addition, in the control function (II) of FIG. 3, in addition to the indoor fan 3, the heater 22 is operated to promote the evaporation of the dew tray 7 where the most condensed water remains, thereby shortening the operation time of the control function. It is a thing. Of course, the humidity of the air filter 6 part can also be reduced by performing this operation.
[0031]
In summary, the control function 11 has a function of evaporating condensed water when the following conditions are met.
[0032]
conditions. 1: Every time the cooler is shut down.
[0033]
conditions. 2. When the cooler has been operating for a preset time.
[0034]
conditions. 3. When the cooler has been operating for a preset time and there is condensed water in the cooler, duct, dew tray or the like.
[0035]
conditions. 4. When you go out for a long time on a trip.
[0036]
conditions. 5 ... Before stopping the operation to collect condensed water.
[0037]
On the other hand, as shown in Table 1, the types of molds include hygroscopic molds, moderately humid molds, and dry molds. As can be seen from Table 1, molds are said not to grow at a relative humidity of 60% or less. . On the other hand, molds usually have an asexual life environment (life cycle): spore colonization → spore → germination → hyphal elongation → spore scattering. And in the normal indoor environment, it is said that it takes several days for this asexual life cycle to go around. Therefore, even if the condensed water is forcibly removed by the functions (I) and (II), it is still not sufficient. Table 1 shows "minimum relative humidity environment necessary for microbial growth".
[0038]
[Table 1]

[0039]
The control functions (I) and (II) described earlier in the present invention further operate the indoor fan 3 and the heater 22 that have been temporarily stopped so as to be able to cope with this. It stops growth and kills it.
[0040]
In other words, after the operation of the first indoor fan 3 or the like is finished, mold that was a spore is generated after a while, the growth is stopped at the place of germination, and it is forced to die. If this operation is automatically performed when a first operation switch is turned on using a timer or the like, it does not bother manpower. Moreover, even if it is the first operation switch, it is possible to suppress the generation of mold more efficiently if it is detected that it is continuously stopped and the operation switch is automatically turned on.
[0041]
Although the above description has focused on the occurrence of mold in the air conditioner, this is also true for the room.
[0042]
Next, referring to FIG. 4, the control of the entire air conditioner will be described. In the figure, 13 indicates a control mechanism on the indoor unit body 1 side of the air conditioner, and 14 indicates a control mechanism of the outdoor unit body. Reference numeral 15 denotes an indoor control unit, and the control unit 15 includes the control functions (I) and (II) for mold control described above. Normally, the operation of the air conditioner starts when the operation switch 12 is turned on.
[0043]
That is, when the switch of the operation switch 12 is turned on, the signal line 16 and the power supply circuit 17 are energized, and the compressor 20 is operated via the compressor drive circuit 19 according to the instruction of the outdoor control unit 18, and the outdoor fan motor. 21 is operated to cool the condenser (not shown).
[0044]
On the other hand, the indoor control unit 15 receives an instruction from the temperature sensor 23, and the indoor fan 3 rotates via the indoor fan drive circuit 24. This state is the cooling operation state of the air conditioner.
[0045]
That is, the cooler is cooled with the operation of the compressor 20, and the indoor air that is forced to exchange heat with the cooler by the operation of the indoor fan 3 is gradually cooled with time and approaches a predetermined temperature. Detects a preset temperature, a signal is sent to the indoor control unit 15 and the outdoor control unit 18 to stop the operation of the compressor 20 and the indoor fan 3. When the temperature sensor 23 detects the operating temperature again, the operation of the compressor 20 and the indoor fan 3 is resumed. By repeating this, the room is always kept at the set cooling temperature. In this process, condensed water adheres to the cooler, the decorative cover, or the duct.
[0046]
The dew adhering to the cooler drops on the dew receiving tray and stays in a part of the dew receiving tray. Therefore, of course, the occurrence of mold can be expected at the end of the trip or season. Therefore, when the switch of the operation switch 12 is pushed to remove the condensed water, the outdoor control 18 operates, the operation of the compressor 20 and the outdoor fan motor 21 is stopped, and the indoor fan 3 and the heater 22 are operated. .
[0047]
As described above, the mold suppressing function of the present invention is incorporated in the indoor control unit (substrate) and can be used as one function of the air conditioner. The above description has focused on mold suppression in the air conditioner main body. However, a humidity sensor 25 for detecting indoor humidity is provided, and the room humidity is set to a humidity that kills mold mycelia. According to one person's experiment, it takes 24 hours at a relative humidity of 53% or less, 3 hours at 43% or less, and 1 hour at 33% or less to kill mold mycelia.) When the control function (I) (II) described above is used as a measure before traveling or off-season, the generation of mold in the room can be prevented at the same time. The details of the relative humidity and the mold growth time are as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-275329 filed earlier by the inventor.
[0048]
That is, after keeping the relative humidity in the room at a humidity at which mold mycelium is killed, the operation is stopped. As a result, it has been confirmed that, for example, Aspergillus and Yurotium are killed in molds that grow on grains such as dry tableware and rice. It has been confirmed that spores germinate by maintaining a relative humidity of 75 to 80% (room temperature of 20 ° C. to 25 ° C.) for 3 days to 1 week in the state of operation stop, so that 3 days to 1 week has passed. Again, the indoor control unit 15 is operated to prevent the occurrence of mold in the room so that the operation is continued for about 6 hours at the above relative humidity of 60% (temperature 25 ° C.).
[0049]
Next, a product to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. The product shown in FIG. 5 is an air conditioner, which is a product that can be heated and dehumidified in addition to cooling, unlike the air conditioner shown in FIG. Since the product itself is already a well-known product, only the relationship with the present invention will be described. In the figure, 2a is an indoor heat exchanger and 2b is a reheat heat exchanger.
[0050]
Thus, the heat exchangers 2a and 2b function as a cooler (corresponding to the cooler 2 in FIG. 1) during cooling operation, both function as heaters during heating, and the reheat heat exchanger 2b serves as a heater during dehumidification. The indoor heat exchanger 2a has a refrigeration cycle having a switching valve or the like so as to function as a cooler. If the control function of the present invention is incorporated in this product, it works as described with reference to FIGS.
[0051]
Further, the treatment of the condensed water in the dehumidifying operation is the same as in FIGS. The feature of this product is that it has a heater. Humidity is indispensable for mold growth, as I have often explained before. From this point, when the heater is used for controlling the relative humidity, the relative humidity can be reduced to, for example, 60 to 65% or less in accordance with the removal of moisture in the air by the cooler.
[0052]
In other words, in the air conditioner having the dehumidifying function, the present invention is further designed by taking in the signals of the temperature sensor 23 and the humidity sensor 25 and varying the heating amount of the reheat heat exchanger 2b. It is effective. Next, the product shown in FIG. 6 is a commercially available dehumidifier. This product has a cooling-only heat exchanger 26 and a reheating-only heat exchanger 27. Therefore, in the case of this product, as in the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioner of FIG. 5, the effect of the present invention is further expanded if the heating amount of the reheat dedicated heat exchanger 27 is made variable.
[0053]
Next, the product described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 is a dehumidifier that dehumidifies indoor water without using a refrigeration cycle. As shown in FIG. 7, the air to be dehumidified is sucked by the blower fan 3 from one passage 28 a of the sensible heat exchanger 28, and is absorbed in the air by the hygroscopic material 29 installed behind the blower fan 3. The heater 30 absorbs water vapor and exhausts it from the other passage 28b of the sensible heat exchanger 28, and is provided with a heater 30 that is intermittently turned on and off between the blower fan 3 and the moisture absorbent 29. The air heated by 30 is sent to the other passage 28b of the sensible heat exchanger 28 through the hygroscopic material 29, thereby causing dew condensation in the sensible heat exchanger 28, and this condensed water is transferred to the dew tray 7 (FIG. (Not shown). FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 explain this in principle.
[0054]
That is, FIG. 8 is a time when the heater 30 is turned off, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a time when the heater 30 is turned on. In this case as well, the occurrence of mold on the dew tray 7 and of course the mold on the sensible heat exchanger 28 and the hygroscopic material 29 is of course a problem. Therefore, the heater 30 is used when traveling or when the season is off. However, it is indispensable to dry the portion where the mold is expected to be generated.
[0055]
In this case, when removing even the spores, the heating of the heater 30 and the operation of the blower fan 3 are stopped, the humidity is set to 65% or more at a temporary point, the spores are germinated, and then the heater 30 and the blower fan are again formed. It is only necessary to perform operation 3. That is, this apparatus has a state shown in FIG. 8 and a state shown in FIG. What is shown in FIG. 8 is a place where moisture in the air is adsorbed by the hygroscopic material 29. (At this time, water does not condense in the sensible heat exchanger.) As shown in FIG. 9, the air heated by the heater hits the hygroscopic material 29, so that the moisture absorbed by the hygroscopic material 29 is expelled by warm air. It is. And when this air containing moisture hits a sensible heat exchanger, it leads to dew condensation.
[0056]
Of course, condensed condensed water is not shown in the figure, but is accumulated in a dew tray.
[0057]
In the dehumidifier having no refrigeration cycle having the above-described configuration, generation of mold on the moisture absorbent material is expected in addition to the heat exchanger and dew tray described above. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the mold in the adsorbent as in the case of the above-mentioned dew tray. As described above, the fungus generation prevention function according to the present invention has a humidity, which is an indispensable requirement for mold growth, by using a cooler, a heating device, a blower fan, etc., as required by the main body to perform the function. Controlling mold generation can prevent (suppress) mold generation not only in the air conditioner body but also in the room where the air conditioner is installed.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention forcibly condenses condensed water present in a cooler, a dew tray, a duct portion, etc., as well as in an appliance that is expected to generate mold in an electric device such as an air conditioner. Use the fan etc. of the above equipment to evaporate, provide a humidity sensor at an appropriate position, adjust the temperature and humidity, air flow passage (including duct) in the electrical equipment, suction port (including filter) ), Molds (mycelia and spores) present at the outlet, etc., and molds (mycelia and spores) in the room and the like can be removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an air conditioner (indoor unit) provided with the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an air conditioner duct in which, for example, an outdoor unit main body of a large capacity air conditioner apparatus and an indoor unit main body of the air conditioner apparatus are installed outside to cool a plurality of rooms A, B, and C. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
4 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the air conditioner (including indoor and outdoor) shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an air conditioner that can perform heating, cooling, and dehumidification.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example applied to a dehumidifier.
FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a dehumidifier that does not use a refrigeration cycle.
8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 7 and shows that moisture has been taken away from room air.
9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 7 and shows a state in which moisture adsorbed on the adsorbent is condensed in the sensible heat exchanger.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an air conditioner commercially available on a ship.
11 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Indoor unit body of air conditioning apparatus, 2 ... Cooler, 3 ... Indoor fan, 4 ... Suction port, 5 ... Air outlet, 6 ... Air filter, 7 ... Dew tray, 8 ... Cosmetic cover, 9 ... Duct, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wind direction board, 11 ... Control function, 12 ... Operation switch, 13 ... Control mechanism of the indoor unit main body side, 14 ... Control mechanism of the outdoor unit main body, 15 ... Indoor control part, 16 ... Signal wire, 17 ... Power supply circuit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Outdoor control part, 19 ... Compressor drive circuit, 20 ... Compressor, 21 ... Outdoor fan motor, 22 ... Indoor fan drive circuit, 23 ... Temperature sensor, 24 ... Heater, 25 ... Humidity sensor, 26 ... Cooling Dedicated heat exchanger, 27 ... reheat dedicated heat exchanger, 28 ... sensible heat exchanger, 29 ... hygroscopic material, 30 ... heater.

Claims (1)

A refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting the compressor, an outdoor unit having a heat exchanger serving as a condenser during cooling operation, and an expansion mechanism, and the compressor, condenser, and expansion mechanism, and cooling during cooling operation. In an air conditioner including an indoor unit having a heat exchanger as a heat exchanger, a dew tray provided at a lower portion of the heat exchanger, and a blower fan, a timer is provided on the blower fan and the dew tray. The heater is operated for a predetermined time and then stopped, and then a control function for operating the blower fan and the heater again is provided, and this control function is activated by detecting that the cooling operation is continuously stopped. An air conditioner designed to be used.

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