JP4430564B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention controls the operation according to the level of the drain water when the drain water generated during cooling operation or heating operation of the air conditioner is stored in the water reservoir and discharged from the water reservoir for processing the drain water. The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a water level detection device used for the purpose.

  In an air conditioner, when cooling or heating is performed by refrigeration cycle operation, moisture in the air is condensed and drain water is generated. The drain water flows down and collects in the reservoir. Then, the accumulated drain water is discharged from the water reservoir by a pump and drained to the outside as it is, or drainage treatment is performed to evaporate inside without taking out to the outside.

  In a water reservoir, the water level fluctuates depending on the relationship between the amount of drain water supplied and the amount discharged. The refrigeration cycle operation and wastewater treatment are controlled according to this water level. Therefore, a water level detection device that detects the level of accumulated drain water is provided in the water reservoir.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a float that moves up and down according to the level of drain water, a first switch that is turned on when the drain water reaches a lower limit water level, and a float that is turned on when the drain water reaches an upper limit level. And a second switch. When the lower limit water level is detected, the pump is operated, and when the upper limit water level is detected, the refrigeration cycle operation is stopped because the water level is full.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-22319

  In the above water level detection device, the water level is detected by the float moving up and down according to the water level. However, if a foreign matter enters the water reservoir and the float is caught by this foreign matter, the float will not move normally even if the water level rises. Then, it cannot be detected that the water is full, the refrigeration cycle operation is continued as it is, drain water is further supplied, and the drain water overflows from the water reservoir. In addition, when the second switch fails, the switch does not turn on even when the float rises, and full water cannot be detected. Therefore, drain water overflows similarly.

The invention, object light of the above, in the structure in which abnormality in the float and the switch can detect the water level reliably be generated, the provision of an air conditioner having a water level detecting apparatus capable of such drain water does not overflow And

  The present invention is a water level detection device that is provided in a water reservoir that stores water generated by operation of an electrical device and detects the water level of the water reservoir in order to drive a discharge means that discharges the water accumulated in the water reservoir. A first detector for detecting a low water level when the discharge means starts driving, a second detector for detecting a high water level when the water level is higher than the low water level, and higher than the high water level. A third detector for detecting a high abnormal water level.

  A first floating body and a second floating body that move according to a change in the water level are provided, and the second detector and the third detector are combined with the different floating bodies. In this way, by providing a plurality of floating bodies and detectors, when the water level rises, the water level can be detected by any detector. Therefore, it becomes a double safety structure and water does not overflow from the water reservoir.

  The third detector is a mechanical switch that operates in contact with the floating body, and when the abnormal water level is detected, the power source of the electric device is turned off. When the third detector is operated, the power is directly turned off, so that an emergency stop is performed. No more water is generated and the water level does not rise.

  That is, the first detector and the third detector are mechanical switches that operate in contact with the floating body, and the first floating body combined with the third detector is connected to the float. The arm is swingable around a support shaft, the third detector is disposed on the lower side and the first detector is disposed on the upper side across the arm, and the float moves according to the water level. As a result, the arm swings and contacts each detector.

  The second detector is a non-contact type switch that detects the movement of the floating body in a non-contact manner, and outputs a signal for stopping the operation of the electric device so that water is not generated when full water is detected.

  As an electrical device, for example, when it is an air conditioner, a water reservoir for storing drain water generated from an evaporator by refrigeration cycle operation, a discharge means for discharging drain water from the water reservoir, and a water level of the water reservoir are detected. The above-mentioned water level detection device and a control device that performs refrigeration cycle operation and drive control of the discharge means according to the detected water level are provided.

  When the third detector detects an abnormal water level, the power supplied to the control device is turned off, and all operations are stopped. When the first detector detects a low water level, the control device stops the operation if the discharging means is operating, starts the operation if the discharging means is stopped, and the second detector detects the high water level. When it is detected that the water is full, the refrigeration cycle operation is stopped.

  A discharge button for forcibly operating the discharge means is provided, and the control device operates the discharge means when the discharge button is operated when the second detector detects a high water level. The water accumulated in the water reservoir is drained and operation can be resumed. The discharge button may be shared with an operation button for starting the refrigeration cycle operation. The control device operates the discharging means for a predetermined time with the start of the refrigeration cycle operation.

  According to the present invention, by providing a plurality of floating bodies and detectors, even if any abnormality occurs, other floating bodies and detectors operate. Can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent water from overflowing from the water reservoir. Therefore, a water level detection device with excellent safety can be realized, and when this is used in an air conditioner, it is possible to avoid a situation in which drain water overflows and operation becomes impossible.

  In the integrated air conditioner of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cabinet 1 is equipped with a compressor 2, a condenser 3, an evaporator 4, and a throttle mechanism (not shown). A cycle is formed. The air conditioner performs a cooling operation for generating cold air to cool the room. Therefore, the air conditioner includes a blower fan 5 for the evaporator 4, an exhaust fan 6 for the condenser 3, an exhaust duct 7, and a pump 8 for treating drain water generated by the cooling operation. Yes.

  The cabinet 1 has a structure surrounded by a front panel 10, a pair of left and right side plates 11, and a back plate 12, as shown in FIGS. The cabinet 1 is partitioned into an upper cooling chamber 13 and a lower exhaust heat chamber 14. The cooling chamber 13 and the exhaust heat chamber 14 are partitioned by a partition plate 15, and the upper and lower spaces are thermally insulated.

  The cooling chamber 13 accommodates the evaporator 4 and the blower fan 5, and the exhaust heat chamber 14 accommodates the compressor 2, the condenser 3, the exhaust fan 6, and the pump 8. In the cooling chamber 13, the evaporator 4 is disposed on the front side, and the blower fan 5 including a sirocco fan is disposed on the back side. In the heat exhaust chamber 14, the condenser 3 is disposed on the front side, and the exhaust fan 6 including a sirocco fan is disposed on the back side. Between the condenser 3 and the exhaust fan 6, the compressor 2 and the pump 8 are arrange | positioned at right and left, respectively. The condenser 3 is located below the evaporator 4, and the evaporator 4 and the condenser 3 are lined up and down.

  The front side of the cabinet 1 is opened, and this opening is covered with the front panel 10. The evaporator 4 and the condenser 3 face the opening, and a gap 16 is formed between the front panel 10 and the evaporator 4 and the condenser 3. A filter 17 is detachably attached to the gap 16.

  A front suction port 20 and an air outlet 21 are formed in the front panel 10. Further, a side suction port 22 is formed between the front panel 10 and the side plate 11. The front suction port 20 is located in the center of the front panel 10 and is arranged in the vertical direction. The front suction port 20 and the side suction port 22 communicate with the gap 16. The blower outlet 21 is located in the upper part of the front panel 10, and is opened toward the diagonally upward direction from the horizontal direction. The air outlet 21 is provided with a louver 23, and the louver 23 is swung by a motor. The blower outlet 21 communicates with the cooling chamber 13, and a ventilation path is formed from the front suction port 20 and the side suction port 22 through the evaporator 4 to the blower outlet 21. Thereby, the suction from the front surface of the cabinet 1 and the forward blowing can be realized.

  The exhaust heat chamber 14 projects to the back side of the cooling chamber 13, and an exhaust port 24 is formed on the upper surface of the exhaust heat chamber 14. One end of a bellows-like duct 7 is attached to the exhaust port 24. The other end of the duct 7 is attached to the opening of the wall 25, and the exhaust heat chamber 14 communicates with the outside via the duct 7. Therefore, in the exhaust heat chamber 14, a ventilation path is formed from the front suction port 20 and the side suction port 22 through the condenser 3 to the exhaust port 24. This ventilation path communicates with the duct 7 and communicates with the outside.

  One end of the duct 7 is rotatable and detachable with respect to the exhaust port 24. That is, the fan guard 27 is rotatably fitted in the exhaust port 24 formed in the casing 26 of the exhaust fan 6. A duct connector 28 is provided at one end of the duct 7. The duct connector 28 is detachably attached to the fan guard 27, but the duct connector 28 is attached so as not to rotate with respect to the fan guard 27. As the duct 7 and the fan guard 27 rotate integrally, the duct 7 and the cabinet 1 rotate relatively.

  The other end of the duct 7 is detachably attached to the opening of the wall 25. That is, the mounting panel 31 for mounting the duct 7 is fixed to the window frame using the window 30 in the opening. The window 30 may be either a raising / lowering window or a sliding window, and the length of the mounting panel 31 can be varied according to the size of the window 30.

  A duct holder 33 is fitted into the attachment port 32 of the attachment panel 31, and a duct connector 34 provided at the other end of the duct 7 is detachably attached to the duct holder 33. By attaching the duct connector 34 to the duct holder 33, the duct holder 33 is attached so as not to be detached from the attachment panel 31. A rain guard 35 is attached to the outdoor side of the duct holder 33 so that rain does not enter. Therefore, by removing the duct connector 34 from the duct holder 33, the duct 7 can be removed from the window 30, and the duct holder 33 can also be detached from the mounting panel 31. Here, when the duct 7 is removed, the attachment port 32 of the attachment panel 31 remains open, so that a cover for closing the attachment port 32 is provided on the attachment panel 31. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 36 denotes a ventilation hole to which a ventilation fan can be attached.

  A wheel 40 is attached to the bottom surface of the cabinet 1. Therefore, this air conditioner can be moved and can be moved indoors with the duct 7 being extendable. Further, by removing the duct 7, the air conditioner can be carried into another room and can be used in any place.

  By the way, in the evaporator 4, when performing heat exchange of indoor air, the water | moisture content in air will condense and drain water will generate | occur | produce. A drain pan 41 that receives drain water is provided below the evaporator 4, and a drip pan 42 is provided below the drain pan 41. The drain pan 41 is accommodated in the dropping tray 42, and the dropping tray 42 is attached to the cabinet 1. The drain water dripped onto the drain pan 41 flows down to the dropping tray 42 and further flows from the dropping tray 42 to the condenser 3. The drain water evaporates while cooling the condenser 3 when passing through the condenser 3. A drain tray 43 is provided below the condenser 3, and drain water that has flowed through the condenser 3 accumulates in the drain tray 43. The drain tray 43 is placed on the bottom of the heat exhaust chamber 14, and the drain tray 43 is formed with a drain hole 44 and plugged. When the stopper is removed, drain water is discharged.

  In order to perform drainage treatment of the drain water accumulated in the drain tray 43, the drain water is again led to the condenser 3 by the pump 8 and evaporated. The pump 8 is installed in a drain tray 43, a drain hose 45 is connected to the pump 8, and a drain hose 44 is connected to the dropping tray 42. The pump 8 is a draining means, and the drain tray 43 is a water reservoir.

  The pump 8 sucks the drain water and sends it to the dropping tray 42. The drain water flows down from the dropping tray 42 and is evaporated by the heat of the condenser 3. Thus, by draining the drain water, waste water treatment can be performed inside without draining outside. In the middle of the drain hose 45, a cock for switching the flow path is provided, and a drain pipe 46 is connected. By turning the cock, the flow path is switched to a flow path that circulates toward the dropping dish 42 and a flow path that is drained toward the drain pipe 46.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the air conditioner includes a control device 50 that drives and controls the compressor 2, the blower fan 5, the exhaust fan 6, and the pump 8. A control device 50 including a microcomputer is built in the cabinet 1 and executes various operations such as a cooling operation, a dehumidifying operation, and a ventilation operation in response to an operation signal from a remote controller 51 or an operation switch provided in the cabinet. Further, the front panel 10 is provided with a display 52 made of LEDs and the like, and the control device 50 controls the lighting of the display 52 according to various operations. Further, the drain receiving tray 43 is provided with a water level detection device, and the control device 50 controls the operation of the pump 8 and the cooling operation according to the amount of accumulated drain water, and displays it as a warning when the drain water is full. Control such as lighting or blinking of the device 52 is performed.

  A drain button 53 for operating the pump 8 is provided in the cabinet 1. When the drain button 53 is operated, the pump 8 is forcibly operated for a predetermined time. In addition, it is good also as a drain button, sharing the existing operation button for starting a cooling operation. In this case, when starting operation, the operation button is pressed once. When functioning as a drain button, the operation is different from usual, such as long press or pressing multiple times continuously. When such an operation is performed, the control device 50 activates the pump 8.

  In the cooling operation, room air is sucked from the front suction port 20 and the side suction port 22 by driving the blower fan 5 and passes through the evaporator 4 from the gap 16 of the front panel 10. At this time, the sucked air is cooled by the evaporator 4 and becomes cold air. The cold air is blown out into the room from the air outlet 21.

  On the other hand, by driving the exhaust fan 6, room air is sucked from the front suction port 20 and the side suction port 22 and passes through the condenser 3 from the gap 16 of the front panel 10. At this time, the sucked air is warmed by the condenser 3 and becomes warm air. The warm air passes through the duct 7 from the exhaust port 24 and is discharged outside the room.

  The drain water generated from the evaporator 4 by the cooling operation flows down and accumulates in the drain tray 43. When the drain water is accumulated up to a predetermined water level, the pump 8 is operated, the drain water in the drain tray 43 is pumped up and guided to the dropping tray 42. The drain water drawn up flows down along the surface of the condenser 3 and evaporates. The drain water that has not evaporated is collected in the drain tray 43, pumped up again, and circulated until it evaporates.

  In the dehumidifying operation, the compressor 2, the blower fan 5, the exhaust fan 6, and the pump 8 are driven and controlled as in the cooling operation. However, the drain water collected in the drain tray 43 is not circulated, but the drain water is discharged from the drain pipe 46 by the operation of the cock. In this case, the duct 7 is removed. The air dehumidified through the exhaust heat chamber 14 is exhausted from the exhaust port 24 into the room. Therefore, dehumidification can be performed without changing the indoor temperature.

  In the ventilation operation, the compressor 2, the blower fan 5, and the pump 8 are stopped, and only the exhaust fan 6 is driven. Indoor air sucked from the front of the cabinet 1 is discharged from the heat exhaust chamber 14 through the duct 7 to the outside. At this time, outdoor air enters from the ventilation hole 36 of the wall 25, and ventilation of the room is performed.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the water level detection device includes a first floating body 60 and a second floating body 61 that move according to changes in the water level, and a first detector 62 for detecting a low water level. And a second detector 63 for detecting a high water level higher than the low water level and a third detector 64 for detecting an abnormal water level higher than the high water level. The first floating body 60 is combined with the first detector 62 and the third detector 64, and the second floating body 61 is combined with the second detector 63.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first floating body 60 includes a box-shaped float 65 and an arm 66 connected thereto. The float 65 floats in the drain water of the drain pan 43, and an arm 66 is provided on one side of the float 65. The arm 66 extends upward, protrudes from the upper surface of the drain tray 43, is bent, and an intermediate portion of the arm 66 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 67 on the drain tray 43. As a result, the first floating body 60 swings around the support shaft 67 and the tip of the arm 66 moves up and down.

  The first detector 62 and the third detector 64 are limit switches, and are mechanical switches that are turned on and off when the arm 66 contacts. The 1st detector 62 and the 3rd detector 64 are installed on the stand 68 provided in the upper surface of the drain pan 43, and the 1st detector 62 is located in the upper side, and the 3rd detector 64 is located in the lower side.

  By making the arm 66 of the first floating body 60 swingable, the first detector 62 and the third detector 64 can be arranged close to each other. If such a structure is adopted, it can be installed in a limited space on the drain tray 43, and space saving can be achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first detector 62 is connected to the control device 50, and the control device 50 detects the on / off of the first detector 62 and starts and stops the operation of the pump 8. The third detector 64 is connected between the power supply circuit 69 and the control device 50. The power supply circuit 69 is connected to a commercial power supply and supplies power necessary for the operation of the control device 50. For the third detector 64, a normally closed limit switch is used. Since the switch is normally on, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 69 to the control device 50, and the control device 50 operates. When the third detector 64 is turned off, the power supply to the control device 50 is cut off, and the control device 50 does not operate. Since the third detector 64 is provided not on the upstream side of the power supply circuit 69 but on the downstream side, the current capacity of the switch can be reduced and a small switch can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second floating body 61 is a float 71 having a pin 70 extending straight upward. The second floating body 61 is guided by the guide 72 so as to move in the vertical direction. The second detector 63 is a non-contact switch, and a photo interrupter is used. The second detector 63 is installed on the stand 68, and the pin 70 of the second floating body 61 enters and exits a groove formed between the light receiving and emitting elements of the second detector 63.

  The second detector 63 is connected to the control device 50, the light emitting element is intermittently driven, and the light receiving element outputs a signal according to the light receiving state. Based on the output from the second detector 63, the control device 50 determines that the water is full, stops the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation, and also stops the pump 8.

  The first floating body 60 moves according to the water level of the drain water. When there is little drain water, as shown in FIG.6 (b), the float 65 is not floating in water, but is in the state mounted on the stopper 73 protrudingly provided by the bottom face of the drain receiving tray 43. FIG. At this time, the arm 66 is in contact with the first detector 62. The first detector 62 is on and the pump 8 is stopped.

  When the drain water accumulates and the float 65 floats, the arm 66 moves away from the first detector 62. The water level at this time becomes a low water level. When the low water level is thus reached, the first detector 62 is turned off and the pump 8 is activated. Drain water is pumped up and discharged from the drain pan 43. In addition, if the pump 8 operates, the water level of drain water falls, and the 1st detector 43 turns on, the pump 8 will stop. When the water level changes frequently in this way, the operation and stop of the pump 8 are repeated. Therefore, it is preferable to start the operation of the pump 8 when the first detector 62 is turned off for a certain period of time.

  Further, drain water is generated by the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation and is accumulated in the drain tray 43. Further, the drain water that could not be evaporated by the condenser 3 also flows down. If there is more supply than drain water discharge, the water level will rise. The pin 70 of the second floating body 61 that has floated enters the groove of the second detector 63 and blocks the optical path between the light receiving and emitting elements. When a full water state is detected by the output of the second detector 63, the operation is stopped and the pump 8 is also stopped. Thereby, since there is no drain water supplied to the drain pan 43, the water level does not rise.

  At this time, when the drain button 53 is operated, the pump 8 is forced to operate for a certain time, for example, 1 minute. The drain water is discharged from the drain tray 43 and the water level is lowered. As a result, the operation can be performed again. The cock is turned to switch to a flow path that drains toward the drain pipe 46, and the drain water is discharged to the outside.

  By the way, even if the second detector 63 or the second floating body 61 does not operate normally due to some cause, even if the second detector 63 or the second floating body 61 becomes full, the operation is not stopped and the water level further rises. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the arm 66 of the first floating body 60 comes into contact with the third detector 64. The water level at this time becomes an abnormal water level. The third detector 64 is turned off, the power supply from the power supply circuit 69 to the control device 50 is interrupted, and the operation of the control device 50 is stopped. All operations of the compressor 2, the pump 8, etc. are stopped. In this case, the user unplugs the drain pan 43 and drains the drain water from the drain hole 44. Thereafter, by operating the reset button, turning the power back on, and the like, the control device 50 operates and can be operated.

  In this way, by detecting changes in the water level using two floating bodies, even if an abnormality occurs in one floating body or detector, when the water level rises, the other detector operates normally. Operation can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drain water from overflowing from the drain tray 43, and safety is improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention. You may apply not only to an integrated air conditioner but to a separation-type air conditioner. Furthermore, you may apply to the electric equipment which water generate | occur | produces by driving | operation, such as a dehumidifier and a refrigerator. Further, the second detector that is a non-contact switch may be a magnetic switch. When the drain button is shared with the operation button, when the operation button is operated, the refrigeration cycle operation may be started and the pump may be operated for a predetermined time. When drain water is accumulated, drain water can be reduced.

Whole block diagram of integrated air conditioner of the present invention The figure which shows arrangement | positioning inside the exhaust heat chamber of an air conditioner External perspective view of the air conditioner viewed from the front side External perspective view of the air conditioner viewed from the back side Air conditioner control block diagram It is a figure which shows a 1st floating body, a 1st detector, and a 3rd detector, (a) at the time of detection of an abnormal water level, (b) at the time of detection of a low water level The figure which shows a 2nd floating body and a 2nd detector

Explanation of symbols

2 Compressor 3 Condenser 4 Evaporator 5 Blower Fan 6 Exhaust Fan 7 Duct 8 Pump 50 Controller 53 Drain Button 60 First Float 61 Second Float 62 First Detector 63 Second Detector 64 Third Detector 64 69 Power supply circuit

Claims (3)

According to the detected water level, a water reservoir for collecting drain water generated from the evaporator by the refrigeration cycle operation, a discharging means for discharging the drain water from the water reservoir, a water level detecting device for detecting the water level of the water reservoir, and A control device that performs refrigeration cycle operation and drive control of the discharge means,
The water level detection device includes a first floating body and a second floating body that move according to a change in the water level, a first detector for detecting a low water level, and a high water level that is higher than the low water level. A second detector and a third detector for detecting an abnormal water level higher than a high water level, wherein the first detector and the third detector are combined with the first floating body, and the second detection A vessel is combined with the second float,
When the water level reaches the low water level, the first detector detects the low water level. At this time, the control device stops the operation if the discharging means is operating, and if the discharging means is stopped, When the low water level detection of one detector continues for a certain time, the operation of the discharging means is started, and when the second detector detects a high water level, the refrigeration cycle operation is stopped, and the third detector When an abnormal water level is detected, the power supplied to the control device is turned off . A discharge button for forcibly operating the discharge means is provided, and the control device stops the discharge means when the second detector detects a high water level, and when the discharge button is operated, the discharge means the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that to operate the. The first detector and the third detector are mechanical switches that operate by movement of a floating body, and the first floating body combined with the third detector includes a float and an arm connected thereto. The arm is swingable around a support shaft, a third detector is disposed on the lower side and the first detector is disposed on the upper side across the arm, and the float moves according to the water level. The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the arm swings to operate each detector .

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