JP4703246B2 - Refrigeration equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus including a drain pan that receives drain water.

  In general, an air conditioner including a blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger, or a refrigeration apparatus such as a showcase is known. In this type, slime is likely to be generated in the drain water stored in the drain pan or in the drain water flowing through the drain pipe, which causes clogging of the drain pan and the drain pipe.

In order to solve this problem, conventionally, there have been proposed one in which a slime generation inhibitor is disposed in a drain pan, one in which a slime generation inhibitor is disposed in a drain hose, and the like (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-6-159710 JP-A-6-257776

  However, in the conventional configuration, all the chemicals are mixed in the drain water to chemically suppress the generation of slime. Therefore, if the soaked chemicals disappear, the effect is lost, and eventually durability is difficult. There is a problem.

  Then, the objective of this invention is providing the freezing apparatus which can eliminate the subject which the prior art mentioned above has, and can suppress generation | occurrence | production of slime permanently.

The present invention includes a blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger, and an electrode that is provided in the drain pan and generates active oxygen species by electrolyzing the drain water. A concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of active oxygen species in the drain water generated by electrolysis, and an energization rate control means for controlling the energization rate to the electrode according to the concentration of the active oxygen species detected by the concentration sensor; It is provided with.

In this case, a blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger are provided, and the drain water accumulated in the drain pan is pumped up and drained to the outside through the drain hose. And an electrode for electrolyzing the drain water of the drain pan to generate active oxygen species, a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of the active oxygen species in the drain water generated by the electrolysis, and the concentration sensor And an energization rate control means for controlling an energization rate to the electrode according to the concentration of the active oxygen species . Further, the electrode may be an electrode that generates active oxygen species such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion by electrolysis of water.
Furthermore, it is provided with a blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger, and tap water is introduced into the drain pan, and the drain water mixed with the tap water is electrolyzed. An electrode for generating reactive oxygen species is provided, a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of active oxygen species in the drain water generated by this electrolysis, and an electrode to the electrode according to the concentration of the active oxygen species detected by this concentration sensor An energization rate control means for controlling the energization rate .

A blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives the drain water generated by the heat exchanger, tap water is introduced into the drain pan, and the drain water mixed with the tap water is pumped up by a drain hose. The drain pan is provided with an electrode for electrolyzing the drain water mixed with the tap water to generate active oxygen species, and the active oxygen species in the drain water generated by the electrolysis are provided in the drain pan . You may provide the concentration sensor which detects a density | concentration, and the electricity supply rate control means which controls the electricity supply rate to an electrode according to the density | concentration of the active oxygen species detected by this concentration sensor . The electrode may be an electrode that generates active oxygen species such as hypohalic acid by electrolysis of water containing halogen ions. Further, the electrode polarity may be reversed regularly or irregularly.

  In the present invention, since the drain pan is provided with an electrode for electrolyzing drain water to generate active oxygen species, slime generation can be permanently suppressed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an air conditioner body and a decorative panel, and FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the air conditioner body.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an air conditioner as a refrigeration apparatus. The air conditioner 1 is combined with an outdoor unit (not shown) and includes a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, it is suspended and fixed in the ceiling space 41 of the building 40. 1 and 2 is an example of a four-way ceiling cassette type air conditioner 1, which has an air conditioner body 2 and a decorative panel 3, and a suction port 4 is provided at the center of the decorative panel 3. An air outlet 5 is opened around the suction port 4 of the decorative panel 3. Four bolts 42 are set vertically downward from the building 40, and these four bolts 42 are respectively fixed to the hanging metal fittings 43 of the air conditioner body 2.

  In the air conditioner main body 2, an electrical box having control devices such as a fan motor 6, an indoor fan 7 (turbo fan), a partition plate 8, a drain pump 12, a drain outlet 13, a refrigerant pipe 14, and a drain pump control means. 15, a heat exchanger 16 and the like are arranged.

  The indoor fan 7 is disposed corresponding to the fan nozzle 17. The heat exchanger 16 is bent into a substantially rectangular shape, and is disposed near the four air outlets 5 so as to surround the indoor fan 7. The partition plate 8 connects the tube plates 21 and 21 of the heat exchanger 16, and a drain pump 12, a drain drain port 13, and an indoor mechanical valve 18 are disposed in a space 20 outside the heat exchanger 16 partitioned by the partition plate 8. Etc. are housed. The partition plate 8 prevents air from the indoor fan 7 from leaking out during operation, and the presence of the partition plate 8 ensures that the heat exchanged air from the four outlets 5 is blown into the room R. It has become so.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram of a drain pan. In FIG. 3, a drain pan 22 is provided below the heat exchanger 16, a drain pump 12 is disposed in the drain pan 22, and a drain hose that drains drain water to the drain port 13 of the drain pump 12. 19 is connected. The drain pump 12 includes a drain pump drive means 23 (simply referred to as a drive means) such as a DC motor, and the drive means 23 further includes a drain pump control means 24 (simply referred to as a control means) capable of controlling the rotational speed. It is connected.

The control means 24 includes an indoor fan operation stop detection means 26 (hereinafter simply referred to as fan operation detection means) for detecting whether or not the indoor fan 7 is operating, and a rotation speed setting means 27 for setting the rotation speed of the drain pump 12. I have.
When the fan operation detecting means 26 detects that the indoor fan 7 is operating, the rotation speed setting means 27 sets the drain pump 12 to the maximum rotation speed and outputs it to the drive means 23 to detect the fan operation. After the means 26 detects the stop of the indoor fan 7, the minimum number of rotations that can be drained is output to the drive means 23. Then, the driving unit 23 operates the drain pump 12 at the rotation number output from the rotation number setting unit 27.

In this configuration, a recessed portion 22 </ b> A that is one step lower is formed at the bottom of the drain pan 22, and a pair of electrodes 51 and 52 are disposed in the recessed portion 22 </ b> A, and these are connected to the electrode control means 53. When the electrodes 51 and 52 are energized, the drain water collected in the drain pan 22 is electrolyzed to generate active oxygen species.
Here, the reactive oxygen species are oxygen molecules having an oxidation activity higher than that of normal oxygen and related substances, and so-called narrow definition such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide. These active oxygens include so-called broadly active oxygens such as ozone and hypohalogen acids.

This active oxygen species prevents generation of slime and makes it difficult for slime to be generated in the drain pan 22 and the drain pipe 19. The electrode material is preferably one that can generate active oxygen species by electrolyzing drain water (which does not contain chlorine like tap water), for example, a material that can generate ozone, hydrogen peroxide, radicals, etc. Specifically, platinum, lead oxide, platinum tantalum and the like are suitable. Among these, a platinum tantalum electrode is most preferable in this respect because it can generate active oxygen species stably and efficiently by electrolysis even from drain water having a small ion species. At this time, a reaction of 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ + (4OH ⁻ ) → 2H ₂ + (4OH ⁻ ) occurs at the cathode electrode, and 3H ₂ simultaneously with the reaction of 2H ₂ O → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ^{− at} the anode electrode. Reactions of O → O ₃ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ and 2H ₂ O → O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ occur.
Thus, ozone (O ₃ ) generated at the anode electrode quickly dissolves in the drain water, so that the slime prevention effect is exhibited.

  The operation of the control unit of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described.

  When the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 is started, the compressor and the indoor fan 7 start the operation. When the indoor fan 7 starts operation, the fan operation detection means 26 of the control means 24 detects that the indoor fan 7 is in operation, and the rotation speed setting means 27 sets the drain pump 12 to the maximum rotation speed, The drive means 23 operates the drain pump 12 at the maximum rotational speed. When the drain pump 12 is operated, the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 22 is pumped up and drained outside the apparatus.

  When the cooling operation is stopped and the compressor and the indoor fan 7 stop operating, the fan operation detecting means 26 detects the stop of the operation of the indoor fan 7. When the indoor fan 7 is stopped, the rotational speed setting means 27 sets the rotational speed of the driving means 23 to the minimum rotational speed that can be drained, and the driving means 23 operates the drain pump 12 at this rotational speed. By operating the drain pump 12 at the minimum number of rotations capable of draining, the noise of the drain pump 12 such as watering noise is minimized, and it adheres to the heat exchanger 16 and flows down after the compressor and the indoor fan 7 are stopped. The drain water accumulated in the drain pan 22 is drained.

  Next, when the water level of the drain pan 22 falls below a certain value, the drain pump 12 cannot drain, and the operation of the drain pump 12 is stopped. The timing of stopping the drain pump 12 may be set to stop after the indoor fan 7 is stopped, for example, after being operated for about 20 minutes, and a water level sensor or the like (not shown) is provided in the drain pan 22. A sensor may be provided and the operation of the drain pump 12 may be stopped when the water level of the drain pan 22 reaches a minimum water level that can be drained.

  In any case, drain water accumulates in the drain pan 22. In this configuration, when the pair of electrodes 51 and 52 are energized, the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 22 is electrolyzed to generate active oxygen species (electrolyzed water), and generation of slime is prevented by the active oxygen species. The In this configuration, slime is not permanently generated in the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 22, the drain pan 22 is purified, and the drain water flows down to the drain pipe 19, thereby generating slime in the drain pipe 19. Permanently suppressed. From this point of view, maintenance-free operation of the drain pan 22 is achieved.

When airborne bacteria enter the drain water, it takes a certain amount of time to grow. Therefore, in this configuration, it is not necessary to continue the electrolysis by the electrodes 51 and 52, and after energization for a certain time, for example, 1 minute, after the active oxygen species diffuses into the drain water, the energization is stopped for a while, The sterilization effect may be maintained by turning on the power again after a while. This control is executed by the electrode control means 53.
By doing in this way, the lifetime of the electrodes 51 and 52 can be improved and reliability can be improved.

  In this energization rate control, for example, a concentration sensor (not shown) is buried in the drain water, the concentration of active oxygen species generated by electrolysis is detected, and the energization is stopped when a specific concentration (for example, 0.1 PPM) is reached. When the decrease in the concentration is detected and the concentration falls below a predetermined value, re-energization may be performed. Further, the electrolytic control may be performed according to a predetermined energization rate or according to an energization rate determined by the operating conditions of the device. In any control, it is desirable to energize the electrodes 51 and 52 while stopping the drain pump 22. That is, after the active oxygen species are diffused and effectively sterilized, the drain pump 22 should drain the water. This is because if the drainage is performed during electrolysis, the sterilization effect decreases.

In addition, when scale is deposited on the electrode (cathode) due to electrolysis of drain water, electrical conductivity is lowered, and continuous electrolysis becomes difficult.
In this case, it is effective to reverse the polarity of electrolysis (switch between positive and negative of the electrode). The scale deposited on the cathode electrode is removed by electrolysis using the cathode electrode as the anode electrode. In this polarity reversal control, for example, it may be reversed periodically using a timer, or may be reversed irregularly, such as reversed every time the operation is started. Further, an increase in electrolytic resistance (decrease in electrolysis current or increase in electrolysis voltage) may be detected, and the polarity may be reversed based on this result.

  The air conditioner incorporating the above electrode not only reduces troubles in the drainage system and facilitates maintenance, but also purifies the inside of the air conditioning equipment, contributing to more comfortable air conditioning. It is effective when installed in buildings where many unspecified people gather, such as schools, hospitals, and convenience stores.

  FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, when compared with FIG. 3, a recessed portion that is one step lower is not formed at the bottom of the drain pan 22, and the pair of electrodes 51, 52 are disposed below the suction port 12 </ b> A of the drain pump 12. Is done. Here, a predetermined gradient is provided at the bottom of the drain pan 22 so that drain water is collected directly under the drain pump 12. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the above embodiment. When the dimension δ between the suction port 12A of the drain pump 12 and the bottom portion of the drain pan 22 is defined to be, for example, 6 mm, the drain pan 22 is not drained outside the machine and, for example, at least 90 cc or more of drain water. Stops. The drain water is electrolyzed by energization of the electrodes 51 and 52 to generate active oxygen species, and generation of slime is suppressed by the active oxygen species.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment.
In this embodiment, when compared with the above embodiments, tap water (including chloride ions) is introduced into the drain pan 22 from the outside of the device through the pipe 55. The drain pan 22 is provided with a pair of electrodes 151 and 152 that electrolyze the drain water to generate active oxygen species, and these electrodes are connected to the electrode control means 153. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the above embodiment.
The electrodes 151 and 152 are, for example, two electrode plates having a base made of Ti (titanium) and a coating layer made of Ir (iridium) and Pt (platinum). A chlorine concentration (for example, 1 PPM) is generated to obtain a sterilization and antifouling effect (a sterilization effect). In order to improve durability, energization of the electrodes 151 and 152 may be switched in polarity at a predetermined cycle.

When the drain water of the drain pan 22 is energized by the electrodes 151 and 152, a reaction of 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ + (4OH ⁻ ) → 2H ₂ + (4OH ⁻ ) occurs in the cathode electrode, and 2H ₂ O → 4H in the anode electrode. At the same time as ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ⁻ reaction occurs, chlorine contained in water (pre-added to tap water) reacts as 2Cl → Cl ₂ + 2e ⁻ , and this Cl ₂ reacts with water. Then, Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → HClO + HCl.
In this configuration, when the electrodes 151 and 152 are energized, HClO (hypochlorous acid) having a high bactericidal power is generated. Therefore, the generation of slime is suppressed, and Legionella, Escherichia coli and other fungi are propagated. Can be prevented.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment.
In this embodiment, an electrolysis unit 71 is provided. The electrolysis unit 71 includes a housing 73 and a pair of electrodes 75 and 77 accommodated therein, and two pipes 79 and 81 are connected to the housing 73. An electrode control means 83 is connected to the pair of electrodes 75 and 77, and other configurations are substantially the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. Tap water is supplied into the casing 73 from the outside through the pipe 79, and this tap water is electrolyzed in the casing 73 to generate HClO (hypochlorous acid) and is introduced into the drain pan 22 through the pipe 81. Therefore, generation of slime is suppressed. According to this, it is only necessary to prepare the electrolysis unit 71 and it is easy to apply to an existing air conditioner.

FIG. 7 shows an application example to a low temperature showcase.
The low-temperature showcase 101 is a freezing open showcase that is installed in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, for displaying and selling frozen confectionery such as ice cream. It consists of side plates 105 attached to both sides of the wall 102, and a heat insulating partition wall 103 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is attached to the inside of the heat insulating wall 102 with a space therebetween. Further, a partition plate 104 is attached to the back surface and the upper surface inside of the heat insulating partition wall 103 with a space therebetween, and shelf columns 106 are provided on both side portions (and the center portion) of the partition plate 104. Reference numeral 129 denotes a shelf.

  The lower ends of the shelf column 106 and the partition plate 104 are fixed and supported directly or via other members to the shelf column fixing bracket 107 whose both ends are fixed to both side frames (not shown) of the heat insulating wall 102, and supported. In front of the lower end of the partition plate 104, a deck pan 108 is attached above the bottom wall 103 </ b> A of the heat insulating partition wall 103 with a space therebetween, and a storage chamber that opens to the front inside the partition plate 104 and the deck pan 108. 109 is configured. An outer layer duct 111 is formed between the heat insulating wall 102 and the heat insulating partition wall 103, and an inner layer duct continuous between the heat insulating partition wall 103, the partition plate 104, and the deck pan 108 on the upper side, the back side, and the lower side of the storage chamber 109. 112 is configured, and a cooler 113 included in the cooling device is vertically installed in the inner duct 112.

The upper ends of the inner and outer layer ducts 112 and 111 communicate with an inner layer outlet 124 and an outer layer outlet 126 formed at the upper edge of the opening of the storage chamber 109, and the inner layer outlet 124 is formed on the rear side of the outer layer outlet 126. ing. In addition, an inner layer inlet 127 and an outer layer inlet 128 are formed on the lower edge of the opening of the storage chamber 109 on the rear side and the front side, respectively, and the inner layer inlet 127 is formed in the inner layer duct 112 and the outer layer inlet 128 is formed in the outer layer duct 111. To communicate with each other.
A suction type blower 114 (for the inner layer) is installed in the front part of the inner layer duct 112 below the deck pan 108, and a suction type blower 116 (for the outer layer) is also provided in the outer layer duct 111 below the suction type blower 114. is set up.

A drain pan 118 is formed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 3 </ b> A of the heat insulating partition wall 3, and the drain pan 118 is gradually inclined downward (for example, approximately 4 degrees) toward the lower side of the blower 114. A drain port 117 is formed. A recess 118A that is one step lower is formed in front of the drain port 117, and a pair of electrodes 251 and 252 are disposed in the recess 188A, as shown in FIG. H.253. The electrodes 251 and 252 have the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, and electrolyze drain water accumulated in the drain pan 188 to generate active oxygen species.
Thus, drain water system purification | cleaning is applicable also to the showcase 101, Furthermore, it can apply widely also to a dehumidifier or a humidifier.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on one Embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. The drain pan of the refrigeration equipment preferably has a structure for temporarily storing drain water (such as a weir) in order to electrolyze the drain water, and the portion of the weir (the portion for storing water) is a drain outlet of the drain pan. The vicinity of is preferable.
Electrolysis of drain water using a platinum tantalum electrode can generate ozone water (dissolving ozone in the drain water) with high efficiency.
In general, the solubility of ozone gas in water is low, and the partition coefficient into water (gas phase ozone concentration / liquid phase ozone concentration) is about 0.3 (20 ° C.). Transition to ozone gas is likely to occur. In the said structure, when ozone water is produced | generated, trace ozone gas stagnates in an apparatus and, thereby, the disinfection effect of the components (fin of a heat exchanger, a ventilation fan) inside an apparatus is acquired. When the ozone electrode is used, not only slime control but also a sterilization effect inside the air conditioner can be obtained.

  Instead of introducing tap water, a chemical that generates chloride ions in the drain pan (tablet chemical) is added, or a surface treatment that provides the same effect is applied to the drain pan, so that the drain water contains chloride ions. May be. In this case, for example, platinum iridium is suitable for the electrode material. Moreover, especially when an air conditioner or the like is installed in a clean room such as a clean room, the drain water has relatively few impurities. In this case, it is desirable to put a tablet that continuously elutes a trace amount of mineral ions as an electrolytic auxiliary agent into the drain pan, or to subject the drain pan to a surface treatment capable of obtaining an equivalent effect.

  In addition, it is not a ceiling-embedded air conditioner such as the above-described four-way ceiling cassette type, but a ceiling-suspended air conditioner, a wall-mounted air conditioner, a floor-mounted air conditioner, or the like, without using a drain pump, Some drain pipes are connected directly to a drain pan and drain water is drained by its own weight by natural fall. In this case as well, an electrode is disposed on the drain pan, thereby enabling slime control. Although each of the above embodiments has been described separately, these embodiments may be combined.

  If tap water can be replenished, for example, electrolytic hypochlorous acid is used, and if only drain water is used, for example, electrolytic ozone is used to prevent slime generation. Free realization can be achieved, maintenance and management costs can be reduced, and air quality can be improved by sterilizing the air passage.

It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the freezing apparatus of this invention. It is a bottom view similarly. It is a block diagram which shows electrode arrangement | positioning. It is a block diagram which shows another embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows another embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows another embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example applied to the low temperature showcase. It is a block diagram which shows electrode arrangement | positioning.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 7 Blower 16 Heat exchanger 12 Drain pump 22 Drain pan 51, 52, 75, 77, 151, 152, 251, 252 Electrode 71 Electrolytic unit 53, 83, 153, 253 Electrode control means

Claims (7)

A blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger, an electrode that is provided in the drain pan and electrolyzes the drain water to generate active oxygen species, and is generated by this electrolysis A concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of the active oxygen species in the drain water to be discharged, and an energization rate control means for controlling the energization rate to the electrode in accordance with the concentration of the active oxygen species detected by the concentration sensor. A refrigeration apparatus characterized by. A blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger; the drain water accumulated in the drain pan is pumped up and drained to the outside through a drain hose; An electrode for electrolyzing the drain water of the water to generate active oxygen species, a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of the active oxygen species in the drain water produced by the electrolysis, and a reactive oxygen species detected by the concentration sensor A refrigeration apparatus comprising: an energization rate control means for controlling an energization rate to the electrode in accordance with the concentration .   The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode is an electrode that generates active oxygen species such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion by electrolysis of water. A blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger are provided. Tap water is introduced into the drain pan, and the drain water mixed with the tap water is electrolyzed to generate active oxygen. A concentration sensor that detects the concentration of active oxygen species in the drain water generated by this electrolysis by providing an electrode that generates seeds, and the current supply rate to the electrode according to the concentration of the active oxygen species detected by this concentration sensor And a power supply rate control means for controlling the refrigeration apparatus. A blower, a heat exchanger, and a drain pan that receives the drain water generated by the heat exchanger, tap water is introduced into the drain pan, and the drain water mixed with the tap water is pumped up by a drain hose. The drain pan is provided with an electrode for electrolyzing the drain water mixed with the tap water to generate active oxygen species, and the active oxygen species in the drain water generated by the electrolysis are provided in the drain pan . A refrigeration apparatus comprising: a concentration sensor that detects a concentration; and an energization rate control unit that controls an energization rate to an electrode in accordance with the concentration of active oxygen species detected by the concentration sensor .   6. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electrode is an electrode that generates active oxygen species such as hypohalogen acid by electrolysis of water containing halogen ions.   The refrigeration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the polarity of the electrode is reversed regularly or irregularly.

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